The assault launched by Hamas against Israel on Saturday, 7 October, has taken the lives of many innocent Israeli and Palestinian people. CNEWA recognizes the right of Israel to defend itself.
We hope and pray for the immediate release of all hostages. We hope and pray for the establishment of humanitarian corridors of relief and ongoing, secure and necessary access to clean water, sanitation, food, medicine and emergency kits available to all.
CNEWA laments the loss of all innocent life. Legitimate self-defense must admit parameters of proportionality. CNEWA laments the shedding of the blood of all Palestinians and all Israelis. This past week’s rocket attack against the Al Ahli Arab hospital caused destruction to a hospital where all, irrespective of faith, have benefited from CNEWA’s support for many years. The attack on the campus of St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox church included the deaths of the parents and infant niece of a CNEWA staff member.
Once again, we ask — what can we do? Once again, we are reminded of the words of Pope St. Paul VI, “If you want peace, work for justice.”
Pray for peace. Join Pope Francis in a day of Prayer, Penance and Fasting for World Peace in the Holy Land, and throughout the world on Friday, 27 October. As we pray for peace in the Holy Land, we cannot forget the suffering of “martyred Ukraine,” nor the expulsion and displacement of the ethnic Armenians from the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Pray the rosary each day for world peace.
Stay informed. Listen to Catholic radio. Read your Catholic newspaper or magazine, especially CNEWA’s website and blog for updates and news.
Help. We need your financial support for our emergency relief on the ground in the Holy Land.
CNEWA’s mission is clear:
For nearly a hundred years CNEWA has walked side by side with those in need. We have prayed with them when they were attacked, comforted them when they grieved, fed them when they hungered, bandaged them when they bled, sheltered them when they had no place to call home.
As always, we turn with our frightened hearts and trembling voices to invoke the powerful intercession and protection of the Virgin of Nazareth, Mary, our mother, the mother of us all.
May all faiths find a home in Jerusalem!