CEI says 'no closure, revenge' (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, July 26 - Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) said Tuesday it stands with the French Catholic Church and called for resistance to the temptation of "closure or revenge" after a priest was slain by alleged Islamist terrorists earlier in the day. "Once again, the message of the Gospel and the Church's experience (tell us) one must not give in to the logic of closure or revenge, but rather (make) a renewed testament of faith to build a reconciled society that is open to hope," the CEI said in a statement. "The commemoration and prayers for Father Jacques Hamel, the priest who was assassinated this morning in a church near Rouen in France, has opened the first meeting of 136 Italian bishops in Krakow for World Youth Day," the statement said.
    The Catholic Church's 31st World Youth Day kicked off today in the Polish city of Krakow and runs through July 31.