Patriarch of Jerusalem: We feel tension and frustration, but we are physically well

Missile launches between Israel and Palestine continue. Catholics in the region have not been directly attacked, but they live in tension and frustration.

PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, OFM
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
“In Gaza, the school of the Religious of the Rosary was indirectly hit, because around their church there are several Hamas tunnels. Part of the community has moved to live inside the school, because they are safer. They are afraid to be at home. “

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is calling all parties to calm down. Ask the world not to forget the situation in the Holy Land and to pray for peace and justice. 

A situation of extreme gravity, made even worse by the clashes in Jerusalem. 

PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, OFM
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
“This resentment that has broken out had been latent for a long time and we had not realized it. I believe that we have to overcome the illusion that an interreligious meeting of peace brings examples of coexistence. We have to work more in the territory: schools, the media, places of worship. And be attentive to the language we use. Because violent language leads to violence ”.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa asks Catholics to be more sensitive to Jerusalem, where the roots of faith are. 

He fears that the situation will get even worse in the next few hours and hopes that the Pope’s calls for dialogue will be heard. And let them be heard before it’s too late.