(Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza)
Gaza Christians Seek Refuge in Church Amid Ongoing Conflict
In the heart of Gaza, as tensions with Israel persist, a significant number of Christians find sanctuary within the walls of Holy Family Church. Father Gabriel Romanelli, a Catholic priest, estimates that approximately half of the region’s Christian population is currently taking refuge there.
The Christian community in Gaza, numbering about 1,000 individuals, faces dire circumstances. Father Romanelli, in a conversation with the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, highlighted that around 500 Christians are residing within the church compound due to the ongoing hostilities.
Despite living in what Father Romanelli describes as “extreme poverty,” those seeking shelter express a sense of gratitude for their safety. The church has become a beacon of hope, offering not only refuge but also essential aid to the community.
“Living in close quarters with 500 people isn’t easy, but even so, we consider ourselves lucky,” Father Romanelli noted. “As we say, we live with Jesus, in his house, and despite everything, we manage not only to survive, but also to help thousands of other families with food, water, and medication, though all of this is limited, as for the past few weeks the borders have been closed to humanitarian aid.”
The Holy Family Church plays a crucial role in providing emergency assistance and spiritual solace, allowing believers to pray and partake in sacraments. Father Romanelli expressed his hope for peace and acknowledged the determination of many Christians to remain in their ancestral land, despite the adversities.
“Many want to remain because they were born here, this is their land, and they see themselves as the descendants of the first Christians, which is indeed the case, as are all the Christians in the Holy Land,” he stated.
The conflict has not spared the Christian community from tragedy. Notably, an airstrike on the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church in 2023 resulted in the loss of 18 lives. Additionally, the same year, two women were tragically shot by snipers at the Holy Family Church.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
