Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Parish, the only Roman Catholic church in Gaza, provided an update on December 1 on the plight of Christians in northern Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues and spoke of the importance of Gaza for Christianity. in the Holy Land.
Since the start of the conflict, hundreds of Christians and other Gazan civilians have found refuge in the parish, located on the border northern end of the Gaza Strip.
Father Romanelli, an Argentinian priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word who has served in the Gaza parish for over six years, shared his message during a December 1 interview with Father Ibrahim Nino, director of the media office of the Latin Patriarchate. of Jerusalem.
The full interview, in Arabic, is available on the Patriarchate’s YouTube channel here.
Father Romanelli said that although there is “great shock and sadness” among Christians in Gaza, “they have great confidence in God’s divine protection.”
As war broke out in Gaza after Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, Romanelli said many people did not know where to go and the Christian community decided to stay, seeking refuge in the parish.
“It was dangerous because the bombings took place in the north as well as the south. They chose to stay where they were, trusting in Jesus, in order to truly feel the presence of God.
Although they constitute a small minority in Gaza, the Christian community has been greatly affected by the war.
On October 23, a nearby Orthodox church in Holy Family Parish was destroyed. hit by Israeli missiles, leading to the death of 18 people. After the bombing, many others sought refuge in Holy Family Parish. The church currently houses more than 600 people, according to Father Romanelli.
He said many members of the local community lost their homes and loved ones. Although he was outside Gaza when the war began and was unable to return, he remained in constant contact with his flock.
“These are very difficult times,” Romanelli said. “Even if they have a strong faith, they are still humans and it is normal to feel sadness; even Our Lord Jesus Christ, God incarnate, wept.
He thanked Pope Francis and the head of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, for their prayers and spiritual closeness to the Church in Gaza. Romanelli shared that during the first days of the conflict, Francis called him every day.
“The Pope called us daily to check if we were well, despite his great responsibilities and duties towards the Church. And with a simple phone call, he gave us his blessing.
Despite the suffering, Father Romanelli said the faith of Gaza’s Roman Catholic community, which numbers about 135 people and includes several priests and religious, has only grown stronger.
“The major annual activities that we are used to organizing in our parish and in our schools will not take place this year,” he said. “But we started thinking spiritually… the birth of Jesus is the focus of our celebrations… Organizing different spiritual activities for parishioners to help them prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus in our hearts and lives by cleaning the grotto of our hearts and discover the simplicity of a cave.
Although the Catholic community in Gaza is small, Father Romanelli says it is very active and pious. The parish holds two masses a day, a daily rosary, regular Eucharistic adoration and hosts several ministries for men, women and children to grow in the faith.
According to Father Romanelli, the Catholic Church also operates three of Gaza’s five Christian schools, which serve both Christian and Muslim students, as well as ministries to the sick and injured.
Even though the war hit the community hard, Father Romanelli said many parish ministries continued and the sacraments continue to be offered.
“As far as the spiritual life is concerned, despite everything we lack, it is still a beautiful, rich and important life in the parish,” he said. “We try to be one, helping not only Christians but also Muslims (and) everyone who comes to Gaza, allowing them to experience the special presence of the Lord.”
Preserving the presence of Christ in Gaza
Father Romanelli said tradition has it that the Holy Family passed through Gaza as they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath and passed back through Gaza on their way to Nazareth.
Thus, Father Romanelli declared that the Holy Family Parish of Gaza has three missions: first, to promote and preserve the presence of Jesus Christ in the region; second, caring for the spiritual life of the people; and third, to bear witness to the love of Jesus for all.
Today, as hundreds gather in the parish seeking shelter and spiritual comfort and the seasons of Advent and Christmas begin, Romanelli said the parish’s mission is particularly important.
Father Romanelli shared an Advent message, speaking to Christians not only in Gaza but around the world. He said, “we must return to the pillars of our faith, reading and meditating on the word of God, attending worship and confessing.”
He encouraged Christians around the world to seek the sacraments and spend time with Christ in the Eucharist during the Advent and Christmas season. He also encouraged Christians to perform spiritual acts of mercy by visiting and caring for the lonely, sick, and poor.
Father Romanelli particularly encouraged Christians to go to confession during this Advent season. As missiles continue to strike around them, Romanelli said Christians in Gaza remain focused not on those who can kill the body, but rather on what can kill the soul.
“We tend to forget that we need spiritual healing, we forget that we can die spiritually, but there is a solution to everything, and it is through confession and repentance,” he said . “In summary, we should renew our spiritual life through confession, penance and repentance. »
