Christian de Chergé
1937-1996 20th century Feast day: May 21
Preventive forgiveness and brotherhood beyond religion.
Who was Christian de Chergé?
French Trappist, prior of the monastery of Notre-Dame de l’Atlas at Tibhirine, Algeria. During the Algerian civil war, he chooses with his community to remain among a threatened Muslim population, refusing to leave. Kidnapped in March 1996 with six other monks, murdered in May. His Spiritual Testament, written two years earlier and opened after his death, has become a central text of Christian-Muslim dialogue.
In their own words
And you too, friend of my final moment, who would not have known what you were doing.