The ongoing conflict in Gaza has brought immense suffering to its Christian minority.
Among the approximately 1,000 Christians living in Gaza, 22 reportedly have tragically lost their lives. This includes 17 Christians killed in an airstrike on the Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius on October 19, with others succumbing due to inadequate medical care.
The situation escalated with the recent discovery of an unexploded rocket near the Holy Family parish complex, a sanctuary for many of Gaza’s Christians. This has heightened the anxiety among the community, especially for children who are traumatized at the thought of it detonating. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported highlighted the dire situation saying it is impossible to dismantle it unless the Israeli army itself intervenes.
Compounding the crisis, the Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic church, along with its parish buildings, were damaged in an airstrike.
This attack not only caused structural damage but also resulted in a fuel shortage, leaving the church without electricity. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the destruction of the church’s water tanks and solar panels, with a local partner from ACN expressing relief that only a miracle prevented a big catastrophe.
These events have placed significant strain on the Christian population in Gaza. Many families have lost their homes and possessions, and the lack of basic necessities like food and medical care is alarming. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish, spoke of the resilience of the community, saying, “They chose to remain where they were, trusting in Jesus, so they truly felt the presence of God.”
Aid to the Church in Need has been instrumental in providing support to the affected Christians. Their efforts include supplying food, medicine, and essential living costs to those taking refuge in churches. This aid extends to Christians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Vicariate for Migrants and Asylum Seekers, many of whom have lost their livelihoods due to the cancellation of pilgrimages and holidays in the Holy Land.
Please pray for the Christians in Gaza!
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