CHURCH IN GAZA HIT BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE❗

Many of our supporters will remember when Justice & Peace Scotland, alongside the Archdiocese of Glasgow and SCIAF, welcomed Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, to Scotland. He came with a heartfelt plea for peace in the lands of Palestine and Israel, and to share the daily reality of his suffering community.

Today we are heartbroken to learn that the Holy Family Church has been struck by an Israeli airstrike. Many have been injured, including Fr Gabriel himself.

In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said: "The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. There are several injuries in the place, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli."

Attacks on civilian populations like this one have been happening for months in Gaza. They are unacceptable. From the outset of this war, we have called for a ceasefire, echoing the words of the late Pope Francis, "Wars are always a defeat," and the powerful appeal of our new Pope Leo: "Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace."

When Fr Gabriel was with us in Scotland, his message was simple and urgent: "I am the parish priest of the only Catholic Church in Gaza, and I come here to ask you to do everything you can to stop this war. Work for peace in any way you can. Pray for peace in any way you can."

Justice & Peace Scotland urges all our supporters to please contact your MP, telling them this story and asking them what they are doing to advocate for an immediate ceasefire.

We ask you also to pray for Fr Gabriel and the entire parish community. May they know they are not alone, that their brothers and sisters in Christ across the world know they are there, that we remember them and we hold them in prayerful solidarity.