The Westminster archbishop released a statement condemning Israel's plan to take over Gaza City. The statement likely expresses concerns about the potential impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation. The archbishop's condemnation reflects a religious perspective on the ongoing conflict. The statement may call for a peaceful resolution and adherence to international law.
4 months ago
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has issued a strong statement condemning Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City and expand military operations 2 3. His statement, released on August 8, 2025, expressed profound sorrow for the people of Gaza, lamenting an "escalation in their hardship and desperation" 2 3. Nichols asserted that increasing the destruction of Gaza City to defeat a terrorist organization is a development "rightly being condemned around the world" 2 3.
Israel's security cabinet approved a five-step plan on August 8, which includes disarming Hamas, releasing all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing temporary Israeli control, and eventually replacing Hamas with a friendly Arab civil administration 2 3. Cardinal Nichols urged for "a better way" that avoids further suffering and misery for non-combatants, emphasizing that "too much innocent blood has been shed" and "this war must be ended not increased" 2 3.
The Archbishop's condemnation follows other expressions of concern from Catholic leaders regarding the conflict in Gaza 2 3. He expressed solidarity with the faithful in Gaza and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, commending Pizzaballa's appeals for peace and support for Holy Family Parish in Gaza City 2 3. Just under a month prior, an Israeli strike "mistakenly" hit Gaza’s only Catholic Church, Holy Family Church, resulting in three deaths and 15 injuries 2 3. Following this incident, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), called for peace and an "immediate ceasefire" 2 3. Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan, USCCB Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, also advocated for an end to the war and immediate expansion of humanitarian assistance 2 3.
The ongoing conflict has led to significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises 2 3. Beyond the strike on Holy Family Church, the articles note that five Al Jazeera journalists and a freelance journalist were killed by Israel Defense Forces in a press tent outside Al Shifa Hospital, an incident widely condemned by human rights groups and the U.N. 2 3. These events underscore the escalating violence and the severe impact on the civilian population in Gaza 2 3.
What is the Church's teaching on just war?
The Catholic Church's teaching on just war is a complex ethical framework that seeks to limit the use of force and promote peace, while acknowledging that in certain extreme circumstances, war may be morally permissible as a last resort to defend innocent life and uphold justice . This doctrine has evolved over centuries, drawing from Scripture, natural law, and the writings of theologians like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church outlines the strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force, emphasizing that the "scourge of war" has caused immeasurable suffering and that "every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man himself".
For a war to be considered just, it must meet several stringent criteria, traditionally divided into jus ad bellum (justice in going to war) and jus in bello (justice in conducting war) .
The conditions that must be met before engaging in war are:
The Catechism further states that "the evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good". This means that political leaders, in consultation with moral authorities, bear the heavy burden of discerning whether these conditions are met.
Once a war has legitimately begun, there are also moral principles that must govern its conduct:
While acknowledging the possibility of just war, the Church consistently emphasizes its profound commitment to peace and the avoidance of war. The Catechism highlights that "respect for and development of human life require peace" and that "peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of power between adversaries". Instead, peace is described as "the tranquility of order," the fruit of justice, and the effect of charity.
The Church encourages various means of promoting peace, including:
In summary, the Church's teaching on just war is a rigorous framework designed to prevent war whenever possible and to ensure that if war is undertaken, it is done so only under the most extreme circumstances and with strict moral limitations. It is always viewed as a tragic necessity, never as a desirable solution.
The Catholic Church's just war doctrine serves as a moral compass for nations and individuals grappling with the profound ethical dilemmas of armed conflict. It is a testament to the Church's commitment to both justice and peace, recognizing the inherent dignity of human life and the devastating consequences of war. While providing criteria for the legitimate use of force, the doctrine ultimately underscores the imperative to pursue peace through all available means, making war a last resort and a grave responsibility.