Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Dom Christian de Chergé
Dom Christian de Chergé, Prior of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas (Tibherin, Algeria)
The Trappists of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas in Tibherin (Algeria) had devoted their lives to dialogue with Islam and had chosen to remain in their monastery, even though it was located in the mountainous region of Medea, a high-risk area.
Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"Our state as monks [ruhban] binds us to the choice which God has made for us, which is for prayer and for a life of simplicity, manual labour, hospitality and sharing with all, especially the poor..."
Seized by armed terrorists on the night between March 26 and 27, 1996, they were killed on May 21, 1996.
In his spiritual testament, Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that moment of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving whole-heartedly, at the same time, whoever strikes me. I do not see in fact how I could rejoice in the fact that this people whom I love should be accused of my murder. It would be too high a price a pay, to owe what might be called 'the grace of martyrdom' to an Algerian, whoever he may be, above all if he says he is acting in fidelity to what he believes to be Islam [...].
And you too, friend of the last moment, who will not know what you are doing, yes, even for you I wish to say this THANK YOU, and this A-DIEU, commending you to God in whose face I look upon you.
And may it be granted us to meet anew, joy-filled thieves, in heaven, if it pleases God, our Father, the Father of us both. Amen."
The Trappists of the Monastery of Notre Dame de l'Atlas in Tibherin (Algeria) had devoted their lives to dialogue with Islam and had chosen to remain in their monastery, even though it was located in the mountainous region of Medea, a high-risk area.
Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"Our state as monks [ruhban] binds us to the choice which God has made for us, which is for prayer and for a life of simplicity, manual labour, hospitality and sharing with all, especially the poor..."
Seized by armed terrorists on the night between March 26 and 27, 1996, they were killed on May 21, 1996.
In his spiritual testament, Dom Christian de Chergé had written:
"When the time comes, I would like to be able to have that moment of lucidity which would permit me to ask forgiveness of God and of my brothers in humanity, forgiving whole-heartedly, at the same time, whoever strikes me. I do not see in fact how I could rejoice in the fact that this people whom I love should be accused of my murder. It would be too high a price a pay, to owe what might be called 'the grace of martyrdom' to an Algerian, whoever he may be, above all if he says he is acting in fidelity to what he believes to be Islam [...].
And you too, friend of the last moment, who will not know what you are doing, yes, even for you I wish to say this THANK YOU, and this A-DIEU, commending you to God in whose face I look upon you.
And may it be granted us to meet anew, joy-filled thieves, in heaven, if it pleases God, our Father, the Father of us both. Amen."
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