The pastor of a Gaza church expressed faith and perseverance after the church was hit by Israeli fire. The pastor emphasized their reliance on God's grace amidst the challenging circumstances. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict and its impact on religious institutions in Gaza.
5 months ago
The Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family, Gaza's sole Catholic church, was struck by Israeli fire on July 17, 2025 2 3. This incident resulted in three fatalities and several injuries, including a 19-year-old postulant named Suheil, and the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who sustained shrapnel wounds 2 3. Another young man, Nayib, who uses a wheelchair and suffered a lung injury, is reportedly improving despite the dire hospital conditions 2 3.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, described the ongoing situation in a video posted on July 20, 2025 2 3. He noted the continuation of the war, with "dozens of deaths" and a significant need for humanitarian aid in the north 2 3. The region is also experiencing oppressive heat, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit), and ongoing bombardments and evacuations across the Gaza Strip 2 3.
The attack on the Holy Family Church has drawn widespread condemnation from various Church leaders 2 3. Pope Leo XIV personally spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas following the incident, demanding a ceasefire 2 3. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the church, offering a source of blessing and consolation to the affected community 2 3. Many have expressed their solidarity and closeness to the church community in Gaza 2 3.
Despite the shock and ongoing bombardments, the community at Holy Family Church is demonstrating resilience 2 3. Father Romanelli highlighted that people are "persevering in the faith," engaging in prayer and singing 2 3. Children have been seen playing in the churchyard, seeking a sense of normalcy amidst the conflict 2 3. Father Romanelli concluded his message by thanking people for their prayers and urging everyone to work towards convincing the world that "peace is possible and necessary" for Gaza and the entire region 2 3.
How does faith endure suffering and violence?
The Catholic Church teaches that faith, as a theological virtue, enables believers to endure suffering and violence by committing themselves entirely to God and seeking to do His will , . This commitment is rooted in the belief that God is truth itself , , .
Faith provides a framework for understanding and responding to suffering. While the Church condemns violence and unjust aggression , , it recognizes that suffering is a part of the human experience. Through faith, individuals are called to:
The Church's teaching on violence and self-defense provides guidance on how faith informs responses to aggression:
The Church affirms the right to legitimate self-defense, both for individuals and nations , . This right is rooted in the fundamental principle of morality: love toward oneself .
The Church also outlines criteria for legitimate armed resistance to political authority, emphasizing it as an extreme remedy:
Even when armed conflict regrettably breaks out, the moral law remains valid , . Practices contrary to the law of nations and universal principles are considered crimes . The Church condemns indiscriminate death and violence as a path to liberation, recognizing that violence often begets more violence and oppression .
In summary, faith endures suffering and violence by anchoring believers in God's truth, fostering active charity, and providing moral principles for legitimate self-defense and resistance, while always seeking peaceful resolutions and condemning unjust aggression.