The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has asked for a day of prayer, fasting and penance on October 7, which will mark one year since the Hamas attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that immediately followed. Source: OSV News.
In a letter to his diocese on Thursday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said the region “plunged into a vortex of violence and hatred never seen or experienced before” as Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1200 people, mostly civilians, in southern communities, taking almost 250 people hostage on October 7, 2023.
In the subsequent Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, at least 41,467 people, including nearly 16,500 children, have been killed to date, its health ministry said.
“The intensity and impact of the tragedies we have witnessed in the past twelve months have deeply lacerated our conscience and our sense of humanity,” the cardinal said.
He said the patriarchate repeatedly condemned “this senseless war” in the recent months “calling on everyone to stop this drift of violence, and to have the courage to find other ways of resolving the current conflict, which take into account the demands of justice, dignity and security for all.”
Explaining the need of the day of prayer, fasting and penance, Cardinal Pizzaballa said that “we need to pray, to bring our pain and our desire for peace to God. We need to convert, to do penance, and to implore forgiveness.”
Pope Francis yesterday expressed great concern for “the escalation and intensification” of the conflict in the Middle East and appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Vatican News reports.
“Hostages must be released, and humanitarian aid must be allowed,” he said.
The Pope said he continued “to follow with pain and great concern the escalation and intensification of the conflict in Lebanon”.
The Pope’s reiterated appeal came as Israel’s military said it struck more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon yesterday, killing another top Hezbollah leader, a day after the militant group confirmed the death of Hassan Nasrallah, deepening fears of a wider war.
FULL STORY
Cardinal urges day of prayer, penance on anniversary of Oct. 7 attack (OSV News)
Pope appeals for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza, Palestine, Israel (By Linda Bordoni, Vatican News)
