The only Latin-rite Catholic priest in Gaza has finally returned to his Holy Family parish after an unexpectedly long absence. Father Gabriel Romanelli took advantage of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s visit to the area last week to return to Gaza from Israel. “I am in the parish and will stay here.” One day turns into over Read more
According to a 25-year analysis of global conflicts and arms transfers conducted by the World Peace Foundation (WPF) titled “Who arms War?” all of the largest arms exporting nations continue to sell their weapons to countries even after wars start. It’s akin to pouring gasoline on a fire. “Ethical export policy is a myth,” states Read more
With over 34,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza– 14,000 of them children – hospitals bombed, churches attacked – including Holy Family Catholic Church – elementary schools and universities destroyed, water and sanitation facilities demolished, ambulance and medical aid convoys fired upon, I ask what else could all of this non-stop Israeli military carnage be called other Read more
We have already seen six months of war in Gaza. Now, it seems that Israel is beginning its last phase of conquest, after ordering a million and a half people to take refuge in Rafah, a border town with Egypt. Soon, there may be almost no one left in the rest of Gaza. There have Read more
The situation for Gaza’s Christian community is “worsening hour by hour”. It’s extremely serious says the Palestinian city’s only Catholic priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli (pictured). Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reports agree. “Our people are constantly suffering. Every time both sides talk about a truce, the intensity of military operations increases” reports an Read more
Three major Catholic aid agencies are urging Australia, Canada and New Zealand’s leaders to take immediate diplomatic action over the “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip The agencies working in the area are warning that starvation and famine threaten hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians. Catastrophic conditions in Gaza In a joint statement, the Read more
Caritas Australia will host a virtual Service of Solidarity in recognition of the human suffering in the Holy Land, serving as a place for the community to come together in hope and healing. All are welcome to the service, which will take place via Zoom on Monday, 27th November, from 4:30 to 5:00 pm AEDT. Read more
Stop the war! The war in the Holy Land must stop. Now. Please. Just stop. In a joint statement, Bishops from New Zealand’s two biggest Christian Churches – Catholic and Anglican – are begging the warring factions in the Holy Land to stop. Stop the war with the accompanying acts of violence it executes, the Read more
Hamas’s Israeli child hostages (some pictured) have a champion in the Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch. He says he’s willing to offer himself to Hamas in exchange for the children being held in Gaza. Pope Francis’ representative in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, made the comment on Monday during a video conference. Child hostages About 12 Read more
Hour by hour countless munitions fall in an exchange of fearsome fire. Smoke erupts from shattered Buildings hanging through the orange glow of flame. This narrow strip of sea-edged land littered streets torn metal, broken brick, shattered tiles, lifeless forms. Costly retribution for a savage act, lost lives, wailing cries and threat of siege. This Read more