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heyFor the 2.2 million people living in war-torn areas GazaThere are less than 100 Catholics.
But despite being reduced in numbers, their faith remains strong in the face of devastation and the strip’s only Catholic church plays an important role in the community.
Father Carlos Ferrero, Superior Holy Family Church in Gaza City, said troupe continued to worship through the worst timesEven when walking to the place of worship became a barrage of stray bullets and bombs.
“There was a lot yesterday and the day before detonate the bombs And shooting,” he said Independent“When you walk from home to church, you have to be careful that nothing falls on your head,”
The church building has also survived despite an attack in July that killed three people, including Father Gabriele Romanelli, and injured 17. A rocket came through the roof, which has since been rebuilt, but the cross standing above the front facade remains untouched.
“It was a huge sign for us too – they could not break the cross,” Father Ferrero said. “When the bombs are strong and close, the house shakes like an earthquake. I don’t know if you have experienced an earthquake, but I have, and it shakes like an earthquake, but the church seems to be standing very firmly.”
When asked if he thought divine intervention played any role in the building’s existence, he replied: “God is always present.”
More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, according to Palestinian health officials.
Two years ago, there were 140 Catholics living in the strip, within a mixed Christian community of about 1,000, including Lutherans, Orthodox and Baptists. Now only 90 Catholics remain, and fears remain for the future despite a US-brokered ceasefire that began two months ago.
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“Since the agreement, every day we hear shootings and bombings,” Father Ferrero said. “Every day, every night, during the day, at any time. But not as much or as much as before, you understand, so… people can move around a little more freely than before.”
Father Ferrero entered the war-torn strip amid the conflict last year as part of a pastoral visit organized by Jerusalem’s Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa in which both he and Father Romanelli were allowed to stay. Yet, despite the ceasefire, Father Ferrero remains reticent about the prospects for peace Gaza Since the struggle continues.
“For us who are inside here, it is not clear how long it will take, what the intention is, how much good it will actually do them. We do not see any machines coming to remove the debris.
“There is no intention to move to a second phase of the agreement. We hope that will happen. We pray that it will happen, and as much as we can, we ask everyone to move forward that way. But we’re really not sure about the future.”
As the war raged, the church was transformed from a place of worship and education to a place of refuge, and more than 400 refugees are still living there.
Last June, it was forced to close its school, considered one of the best in Gaza, due to tireless efforts detonate the bombs Neighbor’s. Classrooms were converted into sanctuaries for refugees, with 12 to 15 people living inside each room.
Schools have reopened, much to the delight of parents in the local area who are looking forward to a return to normalcy, but despite the ceasefire, little aid is being delivered to Gaza.
“Help is available but very little,” Father Ferrero said. “It’s not enough for the entire population. And the thing that really impresses me is that for business, there are things, to buy and sell, there are things, but for relief, it’s not coming in the same way. Maybe more in the south, but I live in Gaza City. When we get something big, we deliver [it] “Among the people in our surrounding neighborhoods,” he said, “people know this. So it is not that easy, but everyone tries to cooperate.”
After two years of struggle and an uncertain future, the church’s Christmas It will be a restrained affair. Before the war they used to plant a big tree outside the front. Last year, he did not perform a single performance and Father Ferrero expressed doubt that he would do so this year due to ongoing pain. However, Zeitoun’s photographs show Palestinian parishioners organizing a large Christmas Tree at the entrance.
“We try to keep everything as normal as possible because it gives us hope. You know, it keeps the spirits up. So we need to do our best… Christmas is always Christmas.”
a spotlight fell on troupe When it came to light that Pope Francis During the war, fellow priests called Father Romanelli every night.
Pope Leo XIV, who took over the papacy from Francis, has been in contact with the Gazan congregation and continues to show his support, although not as often.
“He’s not calling every day because it was really extraordinary,” Father Ferrero said. “The Pope is new and has a lot of things to deal with, we understand very well that he can’t call us every day. But he is in touch.”