MILAN (AsiaNews): Christians in Gaza are experiencing Holy Week “serene in the Lord but at the same time, it may seem a contradiction but it is not, with a lot of anguish because there is no sign of any easing of the situation” according to Incarnate Word Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Family, said after Palm Sunday services on April 13.
Preparations for Easter this year have been very different from the recent Christmas holidays when the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was a source of hope.
“All the families here have children, and those who don’t have children have sick elderly people, which is why there is a feeling of enormous helplessness,’ Father Romanellli said.
During the night of April 12 to 13, an Israeli air strike partially destroyed the Anglican-run al-Ahli hospital—the last fully function hospital in Gaza City—hitting the intensive care and surgery wards. Footage showed patients trying to escape, though the Israeli Defence Forces claimed to have targeted a “command and control centre used by Hamas.”
Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell of York, said that “the fact that the only Christian hospital in Gaza was attacked on Palm Sunday is particularly frightening.”
The area was the scene of a powerful explosion in October 2023, in the early stages of the conflict, which killed hundreds of people. Meanwhile, Hamas says it is willing to free more hostages as part of a potential agreement. The plan, mediated by Egypt, would include Cairo’s supervision of the demilitarisation of the group that controls Gaza, while the United States has reportedly promised Israel’s commitment to participate in talks to end the war.
…the fact that the only Christian hospital in Gaza was attacked on Palm Sunday is particularly frightening
Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrel
“The situation in Gaza is very serious: [Israeli fighter planes] hit the Anglican hospital, which has already been subject to attack in the past, but this time they gave warning to evacuate,’ Father Romanelli said, adding however, that “a child who was hospitalised in the facility died during the transfer operations.”
The priest said, “there are still some hospitals, but all of them have serious problems or shortcomings.”
Despite war and violence, Father Romanelli said, “We had a wonderful community celebration, starting with prayer by the clergy and some lay people at 8.30 in the morning; then silence and meditation in front of the Holy Sacrament until 9.30, after the rosary, the praises in Arabic, the procession in the small courtyard, which is even smaller today because it is crowded with people. Finally the blessing and the solemn Mass: we spent four hours in the church because everyone feels safer inside, even if there is no safe place at all in the whole [Gaza] Strip.”
The parish of the Holy Family has mourned “several dead and wounded” in the past, although in recent days the area has been partially spared from Israeli attacks.
“The bombings are close by, up to 200 metres from us, but we have only been hit by a few splinters. Last week, at times, the earth shook; you don’t even hear the sounds of the explosions but you only feel the earth trembling,” Father Romanelli said.
We live with a great unknown. A mixture of joy and serenity, like the feeling you get during silence and meditation, combined with anguish and sadness because they hit the hospital in the early hours of the morning
Father Romanelli
Nevertheless, the desire to take part in the celebrations “especially among children and teenagers” is stronger than the devastation and the fear of the conflict, the priest said.
“We live with a great unknown. A mixture of joy and serenity, like the feeling you get during silence and meditation, combined with anguish and sadness because they hit the hospital in the early hours of the morning,” Father Romanelli said.
“We all prayed together for peace, for all those who have died, for the release of all those who have been deprived of their freedom, the prisoners and the hostages… it was a very heartfelt prayer. Furthermore, this year, as we celebrated together, we asked for the grace of unity for all the Christians in the world: a unity of faith, hope and charity,” he said.
Appealing to Christians around the world, Father Romanelli said: “We ask you to continue to pray for the gift of peace, to insist on peace and on the personal conversion of families, for peace in the Holy Land between Palestine and Israel, so that this war can really come to an end.”
He also extended thanks to Pope Francis “who, even in these weeks of physical trial, continues to call us and is always close to us.”
