Outrage

I was raised Roman Catholic. Due to a series of choices I have made in my life, the Roman Catholic Church does not want me. I have never left God, although I have left the Roman Catholic Church.  Some friends of mine have encouraged me to join their Episcopal Church.  I have thought about it.  I am thrilled with Pope Francis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis, his call to service, and his openness in accepting some of the controversial parts of the Catholic Church. 

I am blessed, though.  I was an employee of the Catholic Family Services, Inc. for years, and had supporters on the board. These supporters convinced the Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Plácido Rodriguez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pl%C3%A1cido_Rodriguez, to allow me to be on the board.  I am thrilled and honored that I have been able to serve this agency since 2011.

So, I think at heart, I am still aligned with the Roman Catholic Church.  So, when I heard of the death of Rev. Jacques Hamel http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/27/world/europe/jacques-hamel-85-a-beloved-french-priest-killed-in-his-church.html, I was outraged. I was sickened. I was appalled. And I had to wonder how could this happen.  That two men could enter his church during Mass and slit his throat.  I cannot imagine how people in France feel.  I mean, of all places where I would feel safe, it should be a church.  We now know that in today's world, a church is not sacred, as the shooting in the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston_church_shooting demonstrated.  But how can this happen?  I cannot fathom this.  I just cannot.

I am saddened, sickened.

Father Hamel is truly a martyr. 

God bless him. God bless us all. And help us.