CNEWA-Pontifical Mission condemns the unconscionable Israeli military attack yesterday, 17 July, on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. The attack resulted in the deaths of three people and injured many, including the pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace. May the wounded receive the medical attention required for their restoration to full health. The church and its grounds were also damaged, once safe havens that have afforded a place of safety for people of all ages and faiths.
One cannot calculate the psychological damage and the fear incurred with this totally unjustified attack on a people already suffering from the trauma of constant war.
CNEWA-Pontifical Mission joins Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, all religious leaders and all people of good will, of whatever faith, age and culture, in begging for an immediate ceasefire and return of all hostages to their families.
CNEWA-Pontifical Mission asks all to join us in praying, in these days, for the safety of His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa, His Beatitude, Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, and their entire delegation on their current humanitarian and pastoral visit to Gaza. May their efforts to bring humanitarian assistance and to evacuate the wounded from yesterday’s attack be executed without hindrance, obstacle or delay.
Silence is not an option! No more violence, no more war! Prayer and dialogue, the exercise of the highest levels of diplomacy, and the resolution to restore the God-given human dignity to all people irrespective of creed, culture, gender, age, politics and social position must be the call of the hour!
May God bless our efforts and may God alone judge our silence and any indifference!
Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari
