Category: Gaza
Bishops of the Holy Land Coordination call for peace after killings in Gaza’s Holy Family parish
Bishops of the Holy Land Coordination have issued a statement after two Christian women were killed in a sniper attack on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza on 16 December 2023. Holy Land Coordination Statement The Bishops of the Holy Land Coordination were profoundly shocked and distressed at the killing by snipers on 16…
Gaza priest: We are preparing the parish in case people need to take refuge
For most of us, the Feast of the Ascension is an occasion of celebration – a time to raise our eyes beyond earthly things to reflect on the elevation of Christ into heaven. But that’s not so easy to do on that small strip of Palestinian land called Gaza. The tension in the Holy Land…
We pray as people of peace for an end to the violence engulfing the Holy Land
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department, has echoed calls for an end to “the occupation, discrimination and human rights violations that propagate violent attacks on civilians, standing in the way of a stable and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.” Statement As people of peace, we pray for an end to…
Statement of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem concerning the recent violence in Jerusalem
We the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are profoundly disheartened and concerned about the recent violent events in East Jerusalem. These concerning developments, whether at the Al Aqsa Mosque or in Sheikh Jarrah, violate the sanctity of the people of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem as the City of Peace. The actions undermining the…
Latin Patriarchate reacts to recent violence in Jerusalem
With all the Heads of Churches, we are “profoundly disheartened and concerned about the recent violent events in East Jerusalem, whether at the Al Aqsa Mosque or in Sheikh Jarrah, which violate the sanctity of the people of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem as the City of Peace and require of an urgent intervention.” The violence…
Cardinal asks for prayers for people of Gaza and offers support to the territory’s small Catholic community
Cardinal Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has visited the Catholic parish in Gaza and is keen that they should not be forgotten at this desperate time. In a statement today, 16 May, he said: “Today I have had a phone conversation with Fr Mario da Silva, the Catholic parish…
Statement from Bishop Declan Lang and Bishop Christopher Chessun on recent violence in Gaza
These protests take place against the drastically deteriorating humanitarian situation which leaves little hope and continues to undermine a peaceful resolution. Hundreds of families across Gaza are now mourning their loved ones, dead and wounded. Israel has a right to defend itself but also has the moral and legal responsibility not to use disproportionate force…
South African Archbishop talks about the Holy Land Co-ordination visit to Gaza
Greetings! I am Steven Breslin, the Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of Cape Town in South Africa. The Holy Land Coordination is a group of Bishops who come to the Holy Land every year in January. This year, we are 13 bishops from various different countries and our aim, of course, is to give support and…
Plight of Iraqi Christians: Bishops highlight harsh situation of refugees from Isis persecuted for their faith
The international group of mainly Catholic bishops will use their journey around the region’s beleaguered Christian communities to draw world attention to the harsh conditions faced by Iraqi Christians who were driven from their homes by the Isis advance in the summer of 2014.
Parish Priest in Gaza City: Gaza is a prison but your prayers give us power
Fr Mario has been priest of the Holy Family parish in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood for three years. He welcomed the bishops of the Holy Land Coordination to his Church for Mass on Friday 8 January and afterwards gave a short reflection on the visit:
Bishops visit vulnerable Christians of the Middle East
Gaza On Thursday 7 January, the Bishops will visit the small Christian community in Gaza, celebrating mass at the parish of the Holy Family; they will then meet with parishioners, visit the school of the Holy Rosary Sisters and various other projects helping people to rebuild their lives following the most recent conflict in 2014.
Bishops call for human dignity as basis for peace in Holy Land
“Human dignity is given by God and is absolute. The ongoing conflict assaults the dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis, but in a particular way our commitment to the poor calls us to lift up the suffering people in Gaza.
