JERUSALEM (OSV Information) ─ Amid mounting worldwide concern, leaders throughout the globe condemned the July 17 assault on the Holy Household Parish in Gaza Metropolis, which left three lifeless and at the least 10 injured, together with the parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli.
Statements denouncing the Israeli strike poured in from the Vatican, United States, Europe and Latin America. United Nations’ Secretary Normal António Guterres likewise strongly condemned the assault that hit the one Catholic church within the Gaza Strip — one which Pope Francis used to name nightly and for whom Pope Leo XIV provided consolation and prayers July 18.
Stephanie Tremblay, a spokesperson for the secretary normal, famous that the church was each a spot of worship and a sanctuary for civilians.
“Assaults on locations of worship are unacceptable. Folks looking for shelter have to be revered and guarded, not hit by strikes,” she mentioned throughout the day by day media briefing in New York.
Within the morning of July 18, the Holy Father acquired a cellphone name at his residence in Castel Gandolfo from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Throughout the dialog, the Holy Father renewed his enchantment for renewed momentum within the negotiations and for a ceasefire and an finish to the battle,” an announcement from the Vatican following the decision mentioned.
“He reiterated his concern for the dramatic humanitarian scenario of the inhabitants in Gaza, whose heartbreaking worth is paid particularly by youngsters, the aged, and the sick,” whereas additionally urging the safety of “locations of worship and, above all, the trustworthy and all folks in Palestine and Israel.”
Echoing Pope Leo’s earlier requires ceasefire, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops and head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Army Providers, issued a strongly worded assertion July 17 calling for an “fast ceasefire and dialogue for peace.”
Archbishop Broglio mentioned U.S. Catholic bishops had been “deeply saddened” by the deaths and accidents.
“Our first concern, naturally, goes out to Father (Gabriel) Romanelli and all his parishioners, most particularly to the households of these killed,” he mentioned. “Yesterday was the memorial of Our Woman of Mount Carmel, via her intercession, could there be peace in Gaza.”
Related expressions of sorrow and solidarity poured in from the president of the EU bishops’ physique, the Argentine bishops’ convention and the archbishop of Westminster, all decrying the strike and urging renewed efforts towards peace and safety of harmless lives.
Bishop Mariano Crociata, president of the Fee of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, expressed “deep emotion and grave concern” over the assault in a July 17 assertion. The information of the assault reached him whereas he was in Ukraine on a three-day solidarity go to.
“This temporary message is born within the coronary heart of a journey lived alongside a individuals who have lengthy borne the load of battle,” he mentioned. “Because of this, with even better conviction, I be a part of the cry of those that name for peace and for respect of each human life, wherever it could be.”
He mentioned the convention strongly reaffirmed its opposition to each type of battle and armed battle, stressing that battle is “at all times a defeat for humanity and a wound to the dignity of each individual.”
The Episcopal Fee for Ecumenism and Relations with Judaism, Islam and Different Religions of the Argentine bishops’ convention mentioned in a July 17 assertion that it “deeply regrets” the violent assault and its ensuing deaths and accidents, together with that of Father Romanelli, who’s initially from Argentina.
“We pray for them and for all of the victims of this tragic battle, and we be a part of Pope Leo XIV as soon as once more in calling for a ceasefire,” the fee mentioned.
The archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols condemned the strike in a July 17 assertion, calling it “appalling,” and he affirmed his solidarity with Father Romanelli and all of the folks sheltering within the compound. He mentioned he prayed for the injured and lifeless.
“For twenty months, the Church of the Holy Household has managed to be a spot of sanctuary and non secular help amidst the horrors of battle, feeding and defending tons of of individuals,” he mentioned within the assertion. “I add my voice to Pope Leo’s name for a return of hostages, a direct ceasefire to finish the struggling in Gaza and convey peace to the area. I encourage you, in your properties and parishes, to hope for peace and an finish to this battle.”
In an announcement launched July 17 and posted on X, Cardinal Fernando Chomali, archbishop of Santiago, Chile, whose grandparents are Palestinian, expressed his “whole and unequivocal rejection” of the assault.
“When an assault is made in opposition to the home of God, it’s an assault in opposition to what’s most sacred to the human individual — their religion, which is a supply of hope and charity,” he mentioned. “This inhuman act have to be universally condemned by all folks of goodwill and should deeply problem those that nonetheless imagine that violence will obtain their political targets.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned in a July 17 assertion that Israel “deeply regrets that stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Household Church.”
“Each harmless life misplaced is a tragedy. We share the grief of the households and the trustworthy,” he mentioned. “We’re grateful to Pope Leo for his phrases of consolation. Israel is investigating the incident and stays dedicated to defending civilians and holy websites.”
Earlier within the day, White Home spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump didn’t have a “optimistic response” to the assault.
Throughout a name through which the U.S. president and Israeli prime minister mentioned the assault, Netanyahu described the assault as a “mistake,” Leavitt mentioned.
Oren Marmorstein, spokesman for Israel’s Ministry of International Affairs, wrote in a submit on X that “The IDF is inspecting this incident, the circumstances of that are nonetheless unclear and the outcomes of the investigation shall be printed transparently.”
“Israel by no means targets church buildings or spiritual websites and regrets any hurt to a spiritual website or to uninvolved civilians,” he mentioned.
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Judith Sudilovsky writes for OSV Information from Jerusalem.
