Pray for peace
A prayer seeking God's help for the situation in the Middle East.
Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD’s Middle East Programme representative, said:
"Our partners at the Catholic church inside Gaza City, have told us they will continue to remain in place.
"Over 600 people are sheltering, exhausted, inside the Holy Family church compound, and it is heartbreaking to watch our partners and the communities they serve forced into yet more suffering.
"These are people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, and whose livelihoods have vanished. Vulnerable, elderly, hungry and disabled people, many unable to leave, and frightened to stay.
"Three people living at the church lost their lives in July and several others were injured – including a priest, when the church itself was hit by Israeli shelling. Places of worship are protected under international humanitarian law, but the incident shattered all sense of safety.
"There is chaos and confusion in Gaza, as well as hunger. Everywhere is overcrowded and food is scarce. There is nowhere safe to go. The only hope for the Holy Family community, which includes Muslims as well as Christians, living together, is that the sanctity of the religious building can still offer them a sense of security, and comfort."
Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield, CAFOD Media Officer
Melissa Nethersole, CAFOD Media Officer
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas Internationalis, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.
Donate to the Gaza Crisis Appeal
Millions of people have fled their homes in search of safety. They urgently need shelter, food and basic supplies.