A delegation of Catholic bishops from across the world was unable to enter Gaza to say Mass at a local parish after being held up for eight hours by Israeli security forces.
The Holy Land Coordination, which travels to the region each year and is organised by the bishops’ conference of England and Wales, had made celebrating Mass with the embattled Catholic community in Gaza a focal point of its visit.
But when they arrived at the Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel last Sunday only three of three bishops were allowed to go through while 10 were blocked.
A spokesman for the Coordinaton said that the group had been assured earlier by the Israelis that they would be allowed to enter Gaza but were then told they did not have permission to enter.
After eight hours they were eventually let through and paid a visit to the Catholic parish and some of the families in Gaza. The three bishops who had earlier been allowed through said Mass with the community.
“Being held up for eight hours at the Erez crossing was difficult and disappointing as we were unable to celebrate Mass with the people in the Holy Family parish in Gaza. It did, at the same time, give us a small insight into the experiences of the few Gazans who are allowed to come in and out of Gaza,” the Bishop of Clifton, Declan Lang, said.
Last summer a violent conflict between Israelis and Gaza killed some 2,000 Gazans and displaced an estimated 30 per cent of the population the narrow desert strip of land.
The Coordination was told that rebuilding efforts have been frustrated as construction materials have been prevented from getting across the border into Gaza. It is understood that there is concern from Israelis that the materials will be used to by Palestinian leaders Hamas to rebuild tunnels into Israel.
As a consequence many in Gaza are left without housing and during the bishops’ visit three people, including a child, died from exposure.
The group of bishops also visited an outreach project that brings together young people from Israel and Palestine to build up trust and friendships.
The co-ordination is made up of bishops from Europe, North America and South Africa with two from England and Wales – the Bishop of Clifton, Declan Lang, and Bishop William Kenney, an auxiliary in Birmingham. There is also one Anglican, Bishop Christopher Chessun, and two bishops from Ireland.
A spokesman said that following the visit the group planned to lobby their respective Israeli ambassadors and government ministers about the situation.
Above: The bishops prayed at the wall dividing Israel from the West Bank. Photo: Catholic Church in England and Wales
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