His Holiness Pope Francis Condemns Attacks on Civilians in Gaza: ‘It is war; it is terrorism’
Smoke billows over Gaza (AFP or licensors)
His Holiness Pope Francis launches a heartfelt appeal for an end to the “terrorism” of war, and condemns an [Israeli] military attack on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Parish, which killed two Christian women and destroyed a convent of the Missionaries of Charity.
By Devin Watkins
His Holiness Pope Francis appealed on Sunday for an end to the war ravaging the Holy Land, praying especially for Christians holed up in the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza.
At the Angelus Prayer, His Holiness Pope Francis said he continues to receive troubling news from Gaza, where “unarmed civilians are the targets of bombings and gunfire.”
His Holiness Pope Francis condemned an attack on the compound of the Catholic Parish, “where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities, and nuns.”
“A mother, Mrs. Nahida Khalil Anton, and her daughter, Samar Kamal Anton, were killed, and others were wounded by the shooters while they were going to the bathroom,” said the Pope.
“Some say, ‘This is terrorism. This is war.’ Yes, it is war. It is terrorism,” he said. “That is why the Scripture affirms that ‘God stops wars… breaks the bow, splinters the spear’ (Psalm 46:10). Let us pray to the Lord for peace.”
His Holiness Pope Francis also recalled people in various parts of the world who are suffering due to war.
“Let us not forget our brothers and sisters suffering from war, in Ukraine, in Palestine and [Israel], and in other conflict zones,” he said. “May the approach of Christmas strengthen the commitment to open paths of peace.”
The late Samar Kamal Anton
The late Nahida Khalil Anton
IDF attack on Catholic parish
On Saturday, [Israeli] forces carried out heavy bombardment in the area surrounding Gaza’s only Catholic Parish.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem released a statement alleging that an IDF tank fired a rocket which struck the Convent of the Missionaries of Charity, destroying the building’s generator and setting off a massive blaze that damaged the house.
Two more rockets reportedly rendered the convent uninhabitable for the 54 people with disabilities for whom the Sisters of Mother Theresa were caring.
"The Convent is home to over 54 disabled persons and is part of the church compound, which was signalled as a place of worship since the beginning of the war," said the Patriarchate.
Two Christian women killed
Later in the day, an [Israeli] sniper killed two Christian women who had taken refuge in the Holy Family church compound.
Nahida Khalil Anton, an elderly woman, and her daughter, Samar Kamal Anton, had reportedly exited the Church building and were walking toward the Sisters’ Convent…
This report was originally publsihed on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.