Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire
Maria Lozano
The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to “forgive all those who have failed and to ask forgiveness” for their own shortcomings, as preparation for what he hopes will be an end to this war.
Fr Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, shared the much-anticipated news of the start of the implementation of the peace agreement, expressing hope: “The long-awaited day has come to begin the implementation of the peace process or peace agreement… May God, in His goodness, grant the Holy Land—and particularly this part of the Holy Land, which is Palestine, Israel—that we may begin to live in peace, in justice, in reconciliation”.
The Argentine-born missionary highlighted the release of the 20 Israeli hostages and the return of the bodies of those who, unfortunately, died in captivity. He also noted the liberation of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the news received.
Fr Romanelli expressed his profound gratitude and hope following the first Sunday without bombing — a day marked by the ceasefire and the perseverance of the local Christian community.
“This ceasefire, God willing, will become the end of this atrocious war,” said the priest, expressing the relief and joy of the refugees who remain in the parish and those who have been able to partially return to their homes, although many buildings are heavily damaged.
During Sunday Mass, Romanelli invited those present to give thanks to God for their enduring faith and to participate in an act of reconciliation and forgiveness, inspired by the teachings of St John Paul II. “To forgive all those who, voluntarily or involuntarily, have failed, and ask forgiveness for our own shortcomings,” he recalled, recognising the challenges of coexisting for so long under extreme suffering and hardship.
The Christian community of Gaza has mourned the loss of at least 57 people during the war, including those who died while sheltering in the Catholic compound and the neighbouring Orthodox parish. Each of the deceased was remembered during the Eucharist, in a spirit of prayer and reflection.
Romanelli highlighted the generosity of the community and of all those who have collaborated, spiritually and materially. Among them, he mentioned Fr Yusuf Asad, an Egyptian priest from the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), who has served heroically throughout the crisis. He also expressed special thanks to Fr Carlos Ferrero, provincial superior for Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus, and Syria, the Sisters of the Rosary, the Missionaries of Charity, the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, as well as the parish staff, children, youth, and volunteers organised into emergency, kitchen, health, electricity and security committees.
“War destroys everything, but we also experienced good things: solidarity and generosity, even in the most adverse conditions,” Fr Romanelli declared, invoking the words of Fr Werenfried van Straaten, founder of ACN: “Human beings are much better than we think.”
The priest expressed deep gratitude for the constant support of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, as well as the prayers and support of Popes Francis and Leo XIV.
With emotion, Romanelli called on the universal Church to move forward with charity and hope, leaving the past in divine mercy and entrusting the future to Providence – committing daily to reconciliation, solidarity, and peace.
He emphasised the importance of continuing to pray and work so this peace may take root for the whole region: “Let us hope that it will truly be a just and lasting peace for all the inhabitants of the Holy Land”.
Fr Romanelli concluded, inviting the faithful and benefactors to participate in both the spiritual and material reconstruction of Gaza.
ACN has reaffirmed its closeness and support for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It will continue to provide emergency aid to Christian families in Gaza and West Bank.