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Nuns and others stand next to a photograph of Bishop Pierre Claverie at his grave in St. Mary's Cathedral, where a vigil was held, in Oran, Algeria, Dec. 7. The vigil was to prepare for the Dec. 8 beatification of Bishop Claverie and a group of 18 others, who were martyred in the course of the Algerian civil war.
Nuns and others stand next to a photograph of Bishop Pierre Claverie at his grave in St. Mary's Cathedral, where a vigil was held, in Oran, Algeria, Dec. 7. The vigil was to prepare for the Dec. 8 beatification of Bishop Claverie and a group of 18 others, who were martyred in the course of the Algerian civil war. CNS photo/EPA

Algerian martyrs bear witness to Christian-Muslim peace, Pope Francis says

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  • December 10, 2018
VATICAN – The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God's plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.

In a message read Dec. 8 at the beatification Mass for the six women religious and 13 clerics, Pope Francis said it was a time for Catholics in Algeria and around the world to celebrate the martyrs' commitment to peace, but it was also a time to remember the sacrifices made by all Algerians during the bloody war.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the
which won the grand prize at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.

Several months after their deaths, Blessed Pierre Claverie, bishop of Oran, was assassinated along with his driver by an explosive device. According to the website of the Dominican Order of Preachers, his death was mourned also by Muslims who considered him "their bishop."

Pope Francis said that all Algerians are heirs of the great message of love that began with St. Augustine of Hippo and continued with the martyred religious men and women "at a time when all people are seeking to advance their aspiration to live together in peace."

"By beatifying our 19 brothers and sisters, the church wishes to bear witness to her desire to continue to work for dialogue, harmony and friendship," the Pope said. "We believe that this event, which is unprecedented in your country, will draw a great sign of brotherhood in the Algerian sky for the whole world."
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