'We remain in God's hands' says priest injured in attack on Gaza's Catholic church

Damaged roof of Holy Family Church. Image: ACN

Source: ACN

The priest injured in an attack on the only Catholic church in Gaza has thanked Aid to the Church in Need (AC) for its support - as innocents continue to suffer.

A shell from an Israeli Defense Forces tank hit the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Gaza City on 17 July, killing three people and wounding 12 others including Parish Priest Father Gabriel Romanelli.

Speaking to ACN today, Fr Gabriel, who was injured in the leg and side, said: "Here we are, after these terrible days of war, and especially these bombings - 15 people were hit, three of them died and two are still in serious condition.

"I want to say thank you for the prayers and friendship of Aid to the Church in Need, which fill our hearts. And besides that, I know that ACN has plenty of initiatives to help the Christians in the Middle East, especially in these parts of the Holy Land, in the West Bank and in Gaza."

Fr Gabriel added: "We are deeply affected by the facts of Thursday, 17th July, but we remain in the hands of the Lord. We continue to do good, protecting the children, the sick and the wounded."

Holy Family Church is currently hosting more than 500 people including displaced children, elderly, sick and those with disabilities.

On Sunday a temporary ceasefire was announced to allow urgent humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

Fr Romanelli said: "We wait for peace. It is absolutely necessary. Once more, thank you so much for all the spiritual, moral and material help. May God bless you and may the Virgin Mary protect all ACN benefactors, their families and loved ones."

Last week Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, warned that denying humanitarian aid "is a matter of life and death".

He said: "Refusing it is not a delay, but a sentence. Every hour without food, water, medicine and shelter causes deep harm."

ACN has increased its support for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's work in the region which includes food coupons, medicine and trauma counselling.

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org