Pope Francis announced another day of prayer and fasting for an end to war in the Holy Land, as Church leaders grieved the victims of an explosion in a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby joined the “profound mourning after the atrocious attack on the Anglican-run Al Ahli Hospital”, where a blast killed almost 500 people according to the Palestinian health ministry.
“This atrocity violates the sanctity and dignity of human life,” Archbishop Welby said.
“It is a violation of humanitarian law, which is clear that hospitals, doctors and patients must be protected. For this reason, it’s essential that we exercise restraint in apportioning responsibility before all the facts are clear.”
The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem issued a statement condemning the “heart-wrenching crime” and the “horrifying shattering of a sanctuary of compassion and healing in Gaza”.
“We unequivocally declare this atrocity as an egregious crime, one demanding the severest censure and international accountability,” they said. “We implore the global community to embrace its sacred duty to shield civilians and to ensure that such heinous transgressions are never again permitted.”
At the end of his Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis said he had decided to call for a day of fasting and prayer on Friday 27 October.
It will be “a day of penance to which I invite sisters and brothers of the various Christian denominations, those belonging to other religions, and all those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world, to join in as they see fit,” he said.
A vigil will take place at 6pm in St Peter’s Square, where the congregation will join the Pope to participate in “an hour of prayer in a spirit of penance to implore peace in our time, peace in this world”.
“I ask all the particular Churches to participate by arranging similar activities involving the people of God,” the Pope said.
The announcement follows the call of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, for a global day of prayer and fasting on 17 October “to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation”.
Pope Francis also renewed his appeal for peace in the Holy Land.
“Our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel,” he said. “The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate.
“Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster. The possible widening of the conflict is disturbing, while so many war fronts are already open in the world. May weapons be silenced, and let us heed the cry for peace of the poor, the people, the children.”
He continued: “Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem. It sows only death and destruction, foments hate, proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future, it cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not in words – in prayer, with total dedication.”
The conflict’s death toll continues to rise, the United Nations estimating on Tuesday evening that “a staggering” 4,200 people have been killed and “over 1 million people [have been] displaced in just 10 days”.
Hamas blamed the Israeli Defence Forces for an explosion on Tuesday evening at the Anglican-run Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City left an estimated death toll of nearly 500, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Israeli government denied these allegations, blaming it instead on a Hamas rocket launch. President Joe Biden arrived in Israel this morning for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In his statement on the Al-Ahli Hospital attack, Archbishop Welby emphasised that the “rules of war are there to safeguard civilians and the value of every human life”.
“It is unconscionable that aid is being prevented from reaching children and adults who are not combatants in this war. It is indefensible that hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being struck. It is an outrage that hostages are being held by Hamas. The bloodshed, slaughter and suffering of innocent people on all sides must stop.”
He continued: “The fundamental question is this: what kind of society can be envisaged both for a secure Israeli state and a secure neighbouring Palestinian state. That path is not clear, but it must be imagined – and that imagining must start again now.”
Cafod has launched an appeal for the crisis in Israel and Palestine to provide life-saving aid to civilians through Caritas Jerusalem, which reported that its employees in Gaza had been forced to leave their homes.
“They’ve been in shock, confused and perplexed. They don’t have electricity, and the internet is sporadic,” Caritas Jerusalem said.
Cafod joined other humanitarian agencies in calling on international governments to prioritise peace and safety for civilians.
“We condemn the horrific killings and kidnappings led by Hamas and the scale of the Israeli government’s violent retaliation, which is causing more civilian deaths and injuries,” said Elizabeth Funnell, the agency’s country programmes representative for the Middle East.
“We urge all parties to end the violence and abide by international law. This means protecting civilians, releasing hostages and not punishing innocent civilians by stopping food, fuel and water reaching Gaza.”
On Monday, Pope Francis telephoned the Catholic parish in Gaza where around 500 people are sheltering in church buildings.
Sr Nabila Saleh, who works in the parish, told Vatican News it was “a great blessing to be able to speak with him. He gave us courage and support in prayer.”
“We ask for justice – justice and peace,” she said. “The Palestinian people also have the right to live. We ask not to punish the population because of a fanatic group. And then we ask that you pray for us.”
Loading ...
