An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has condemned the killing of French Father Jacques Hamel.
"In a civilized society, the practice of religion should never be a threat to human solidarity nor should it be used to advance terrorist causes," said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the public affairs office of the Philippines' bishops' conference.
Father Secillano, however, said in an interview on July 27 that the incident should not cause alarm for Catholics in the Philippines.
"If there is a threat of such nature against churches or priests, be assured that the church will do something about it," the priest said.