Pope Francis has offered a special blessing for Fr. Olivier Maire, the French priest who was murdered in his home in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre in western France
POPE FRANCIS
“It is with great sorrow that I learned of the murder of Father Olivier Maire. I share my condolences with the religious community of Monfortians in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre in Vendée. To his family and to all Catholics in France, I assure my spiritual participation and closeness. My blessing goes out to you all.”
Fr. Maire was the provincial superior of the Monfort Missionaries.
A 40-year old Rwandan migrant, has turned himself in to police and confessed to the murder. He was living in the Monfortian community after his application for asylum was rejected, and Fr. Maire offered him housing.
He later became the primary suspect behind the fire at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Nantes.
JM
