To many people, the death of de Chergé and his fellow monks proves the worst stereotypes of Islam. But to him it was the expected cost of being a peacemaker. To me, it is a stark reminder of the work that must be done world-wide to spread the healing message of forgiveness. In a time when so many people are willing to die in ongoing armed conflicts between the "Christian" West and the supposed "menace" of Islam - whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria, or anywhere else - where are there men and women who are willing to die for the sake of peace?
Source: Johann Christoph Arnold - Why Forgive?, pp.60