ISIS slaughtered priest, Fr. Jacques Hamel's cause opens less than 1 year after his death

'This example of courage, as well as the martyrdom ... helps us go forward without fear.'

Father Jacques Hamel was murdered last July in the middle of his homily. Today, the Archbishop of Rouen announced the open canonization Cause of the late priest.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Fr. Hamel was killed in the midst of Mass at his parish church of Saint-Ã^tienne-du-Rouvray.

The men who killed him claimed to be in alliance with the terrorist group ISIS, then they slit the elderly priest's throat.

People around the world mourned the loss and lamented the senseless killing.

During his funeral, there was only standing room and at a Mass held in memory of Fr. Hamel, Pope Francis declared him a martyr.

It was at the special Mass when Archbishop Lebrun brought an image of Fr. Hamel to Pope Francis with a request to sign it for three nuns who were present at Fr. Hamel's Mass the day he was killed.

The sisters, responsible for caring for the sick at Saint-Ã^tienne-du-rouvray, were unable to join the pilgrimage to Rome, so the Archbishop brought the picture.

Instead of signing the picture, Pope Francis "immediately told me to put it on the altar," the Archbishop shared. "At the end of Mass, when he was greeting everyone, he signed it and said to me, 'You can put this photo in the church because he is "blessed" now, and if anyone says you aren't allowed, tell them the Pope gave you permission.'"

Pope Francis later reflected on Jesus, who became a martyr for the entire human race. It was through that sacrifice we have all been saved.

The Pontiff explained there is a line of Christian martyrdom since Jesus' sacrifice and now Fr. Hamel has joined their ranks.

When Fr. Hamel was to be killed, in his final moments, the Pope said he "did not lose the lucidity to accuse and clearly say the name of his murderer. He clearly said, 'Be gone, Satan.'

"This example of courage, as well as the martyrdom of his own life when he gave himself to help others, to help create brotherhood, helps us go forward without fear."

Since Pope Francis' powerful words for Fr. Hamel, many have called for the priest's canonization.

According to La Croix, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen announced Fr. Hamel's Cause has official opened.

Normally, a candidate for canonization must wait five years before a Cause is opened, but Pope Francis granted a dispensation.

Fr Paul Vigouroux, the vice-chancellor of the diocese, was appointed postulator of the Cause, but no further information has been released.

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