Attack at the Catholic Parish of Gaza: Cardinal Chomalí, grandson of Palestinians, US bishops and Argentina regret it

Chilean cardinal Fernando Chomali Garib, grandson of Palestinians; The bishops of the United States and the Episcopal Commission of Ecumenism, relations with Judaism, Islam and religions of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA) lamented the Israeli attack against the only Catholic parish of Gaza, which left the tragic balance of three dead and several injured.

The Church of the Sagrada Familia de Gaza was reached this morning by an air attack in the middle of a new wave of bombing. One of the injured has been the Argentine pastor Gabriel Romanelli.

In one declaration Published in X by Oren Marmorstein, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, it is indicated that “Israel expresses its deep regret for the damages suffered by the Church of the Sagrada Familia in the city of Gaza and for any civil victim.”

“Israel’s defense forces are investigating this incident, whose circumstances are not yet clear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently. Israel never attacks churches or religious places and regrets any damage to a religious place or civilians not involved,” adds the statement.

In a telegram signed by the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV was “deeply sad” by “the military attack” and raised his prayers by those affected, in addition to demanding that the immediate fire be high.

In one declaration Published this Thursday, Cardinal Chomali expressed his “total and clear rejection of such an act” in this “Church, which hosted hundreds of Gazaties displaced by the war, destroyed.”

“When it is attentive against the house of God, the most sacred that the human being, his faith, source of hope and charity has, this inhuman act must be transversely condemned by all people of good will and must deeply challenge those who still believe that with violence they will achieve their political objectives,” he said.

After joining the request of Pope León for the Alto El Fuego, the Archbishop of Santiago de Chile said that he rejects “categorically this fact because it touches the foundations itself from which a civilization is constructed that always respects and under all condition the human life and dignity that comes from God”.

For its part, the Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission of the Argentine Episcopate also expressed its rejection of the attack and raised its prayers “by all the victims of this sad conflict, and we join the request of Pope Leo XIV, once again by the ceasefire. God bless our world with peace”.

On the other hand, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Episcopal Conference, said in a declaration That “with the Holy Father, the Catholic bishops of the United States are deeply saddened by knowing the news of the dead and wounded in the Church of the Sagrada Familia de Gaza caused by a military attack.”

“Our first concern, naturally, addresses Father Gabriel Romanelli and all his parishioners, especially the families of the deceased. Our prayers are with them in these tragic moments,” he added.

“With the Holy Father, we also continue to pray and advocate for dialogue and for a high immediate fire. Yesterday was the memory of Our Lady of Monte Carmelo, for his intercession, that there is peace in Gaza,” the prelate concluded.