#BreakingNews Israel Airstrike Hits Historic Orthodox Church Compound in Gaza with 18 Christians Reported Killed - Patriarchate of Jerusalem & WCC Condemn the Attack
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About 400 people, mostly Christians, had found shelter in the compound when the war began nearly two weeks ago.
According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), among the victims are several young Christians who were part of the “Employment Generation Project” for Christian youth, run by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has also strongly condemned the attack:
“We condemn this unconscionable attack on a sacred compound and call upon the world community to enforce protections in Gaza for sanctuaries of refuge, including hospitals, schools, and houses of worship,” said the WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay. “Our prayers go out for healing to all those wounded, along with our condolences to Patriarch Theophilos II and all our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ.”
According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), among the victims are several young Christians who were part of the “Employment Generation Project” for Christian youth, run by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has also strongly condemned the attack:
“We condemn this unconscionable attack on a sacred compound and call upon the world community to enforce protections in Gaza for sanctuaries of refuge, including hospitals, schools, and houses of worship,” said the WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay. “Our prayers go out for healing to all those wounded, along with our condolences to Patriarch Theophilos II and all our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem wrote on their Facebook page:
The Latin Patriarchate declares solidarity and stands with its sister Orthodox sister Church in these difficult moments and emphasizes, as stated in the statement, "to continue to perform its religious and moral duty to provide aid, support and shelter to people in need, even amid continuous demands from the Israeli side to evacuate these institutions from civilians, and pressures exerted on Churches on this regard".
FULL TEXT STATEMENT from the Orthodox Patriarchate:
THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM CONDEMNS ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES TARGETING HUMANITARIAN INSTITUTIONS IN GAZA
CATEGORIES
Jerusalem, October 19, 2023
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its strongest condemnation of the Israeli airstrike that have struck its church compound in the city of Gaza.
The Patriarchate emphasizes that targeting churches and their institutions, along with the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women who have lost their homes due to Israeli airstrikes on residential areas over the past thirteen days, constitutes a war crime that cannot be ignored.
Despite the evident targeting of the facilities and shelters of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and other churches – including the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem Hospital, other schools, and social institutions – the Patriarchate, along with the other churches, remain committed to fulfilling its religious and moral duty in providing assistance, support, and refuge to those in need, amidst continuous Israeli demands to evacuate these institutions of civilians and the pressures exerted on the churches in this regard.
The Patriarchate stresses that it will not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty, rooted in its Christian values, to provide all that is necessary in times of war and peace alike.
FULL TEXT STATEMENT from the Orthodox Patriarchate:
THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM CONDEMNS ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES TARGETING HUMANITARIAN INSTITUTIONS IN GAZA
CATEGORIES
Jerusalem, October 19, 2023
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its strongest condemnation of the Israeli airstrike that have struck its church compound in the city of Gaza.
The Patriarchate emphasizes that targeting churches and their institutions, along with the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women who have lost their homes due to Israeli airstrikes on residential areas over the past thirteen days, constitutes a war crime that cannot be ignored.
Despite the evident targeting of the facilities and shelters of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and other churches – including the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem Hospital, other schools, and social institutions – the Patriarchate, along with the other churches, remain committed to fulfilling its religious and moral duty in providing assistance, support, and refuge to those in need, amidst continuous Israeli demands to evacuate these institutions of civilians and the pressures exerted on the churches in this regard.
The Patriarchate stresses that it will not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty, rooted in its Christian values, to provide all that is necessary in times of war and peace alike.
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