(Photo: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
In the midst of ongoing conflict in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the senior Roman Catholic leader in the region, has made an urgent plea for peace between Israel and Hamas. His call comes after a heartbreaking visit to Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, recently targeted in an attack.
The church, a crucial sanctuary for Christians in Gaza, was struck by an Israel Defense Force (IDF) tank shell last week. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to ten others, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest. This church is not only a vital place of worship but also one of just three churches in Gaza, and the only Catholic one.
Prior to his death, Pope Francis had maintained daily communication with the church, highlighting its importance in the Christian community.
Cardinal Pizzaballa visited the site alongside Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, condemning the attack as “heinous.” In his statement, he emphasized, “Let us not turn peace into a slogan, while war remains the daily bread of the poor.”
He urged the international community to uphold international law, particularly concerning the protection of civilians and the fair distribution of aid. He also called for an end to “collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population.”
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has seen extensive loss of life and destruction. The initial attack by Hamas from Gaza resulted in over a thousand Israeli civilian deaths, prompting a severe Israeli counteroffensive that has left Gaza devastated, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties.
Amidst these events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces accusations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court, which he dismisses as an antisemitic “blood libel.”
The impact of the conflict is profoundly felt by ordinary citizens. Cardinal Pizzaballa, reflecting on his visit to Gaza, stated, “It is time to end this nonsense, end the war and put the common good of people as the top priority.”
He described scenes of destruction and displacement: “We walked through the dust of ruins, past collapsed buildings and tents everywhere: in courtyards, alleyways, on the streets and on the beach, tents that have become homes for those who have lost everything.”
Despite the dire circumstances, the cardinal noted the enduring resilience and dignity among the people. “We met mothers preparing food for others, nurses treating wounds with gentleness, and people of all faiths still praying to the God who sees and never forgets,” he observed.
Reaffirming the Church’s commitment to the region, he added, “We have not come as politicians or diplomats, but as pastors. The Church, the entire Christian community, will never abandon them.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
