The patriarchs and heads of the churches of Jerusalem—including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francesco Patton OFM Cap—have issued a humanitarian plea for Gaza, saying the devastation that has unfolded before the eyes of the world is a ‘profound moral and humanitarian tragedy’.
Caritas Australia has highighted the statement—titled Defending the Dignity and Presence of the People of Gaza—and its call for those with Christian faith to extend their compassion to those in the Holy Land.
‘As custodians of the Christian faith and conscience in this sacred land, we raise our voices in sorrow and steadfast resolve in the face of the ongoing suffering in Gaza,’ the Churches of Jerusalem write.
‘Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, and entire communities stand in ruin, with the most vulnerable—children, the elderly and the sick—enduring unimaginable hardship.’
May the God of mercy strengthen the afflicted, soften the hearts of those who hold power and bring forth a peace that upholds justice, preserves human dignity and safeguards the presence of all people in the land to which they belong.
Commenting on the future of Gaza, the Churches of Jerusalem said, ‘Amid this anguish, we are compelled to speak against the grave threat of mass displacement, an injustice that strikes at the very heart of human dignity.
‘The people of Gaza, families who have lived for generations in the land of their ancestors, must not be forced into exile, stripped of whatever is left of their homes, their heritage, and their right to remain in the land that forms the essence of their identity.
‘As Christians, we cannot be indifferent to such suffering, for the Gospel commands us to uphold the dignity of every human being.
The patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem also issued a ‘call for the release of all captives from both sides so that they can be safely reunited with their families’.
‘As we lift our prayers for those in mourning, for the wounded and for those who remain steadfast in the land of their forefathers, we remember the promise of Scripture: “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).
‘May the God of mercy strengthen the afflicted, soften the hearts of those who hold power and bring forth a peace that upholds justice, preserves human dignity and safeguards the presence of all people in the land to which they belong.’
The region exists in a fragile state of peace, enabling greater levels of life-saving humanitarian support to enter the region.
In response to this call from the churches in Jerusalem, Caritas Australia says it will continue its steadfast support of program partners in Gaza.
‘The region exists in a fragile state of peace, enabling greater levels of life-saving humanitarian support to enter the region,’ Humanitarian Manager Sally Thomas said.
‘We extend our thanks to our supporters and assure them that their generosity is felt by their brothers and sisters in need in Gaza.’
The Caritas Australia Gaza Emergency Appeal has been running since October 2023, during which time its local partners have helped more than a million people with emergency food, shelter assistance and clean drinking water, as well as psychosocial support for children.
Find out how to support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Emergency Appeal here, or call 1800 024 413.
Banner image: A man walks among razed buildings in Gaza. (Photo courtesy of Caritas Jerusalem.)
