The bishops of Europe have raised their voice to denounce the air attack perpetrated on July 17 against the parish of the Sagrada Familia de Gaza, the only Catholic Church of the Strip that was used as a refuge for more than 500 people since the beginning of the war in October 2023.
Mons. Mariano Crociata, president of the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the European Union (Eat), expressed his deep shock and “serious concern” before the news of the recent attack, which caused at least three dead and a dozen injured.
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The prelate is next to a delegation in Ukraine, on a three -day visit to express their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and church, which remain deeply affected by the current Russian military aggression.
In a context already marked by suffering and violence, the news of the attack on the parish in Gaza is for European bishops “an even greater gravity,” they said in a statement.
The president of the ERECE also expressed his proximity to the small Catholic community of Gaza, beaten at a time of extreme vulnerability:
“We still do not know exactly what has happened, but I can affirm that acts like this renew our pain in the face of the spread of violence and force us to reaffirm, with force, our firm opposition to all forms of war and armed conflict,” he said.
Mons. Crociata also stressed that war, “wherever it takes place, is always a defeat for humanity and a wound to the dignity of every person.”
In addition, he said that his message “is born from the heart of a trip lived with a town that has long supports the weight of war.” Therefore, with even greater conviction, “I join the clamor of those who ask for peace and respect for all human life, wherever it is,” he added.
“From Ukraine, where we are experiencing the evil and nonsense of the war and its terrible consequences, I want to send a sincere message of closeness and solidarity to the Christian community of Gaza and raise our voice to cease war and respect the Palestinian people,” said the president of the Eat.
Eat will continue to closely follow the evolution of the situation and support all the initiatives that can contribute to a fair, authentic and lasting peace, both in Ukraine and in the Holy Land.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. It has been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News at the Vatican for two years and is currently a correspondent for Europe based on Spain.