As the Death Toll in Gaza Tops 18,000, Churches Decide for No Lights at Christmas - Pope Francis Calls for Prayer and Expresses Concern Over Lack of Human Rights
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Gaza’s death toll from Israeli attacks is over 18,000, including nearly 8,000 children, according to the government media office. The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.
(Source) Christian Churches, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical, have called repeatedly for an immediate Ceasefire in Gaza; addressing the Biden Administration.
Pope Francis has lamented that his calls for a ceasefire have been unheaded and noted that only the weapons industry is winning. He said that since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights many " steps backward have been taken.”
Christians in Jordan and the Holy Land will hold no Christmas festivities as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people - only liturgies and prayer will mark the season.
Following the Angelus on December 10th, Pope Francis on Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “It is like a master plan,” he said. “Many steps have been taken, many still need to be made, and, unfortunately, at times, steps backward have been taken.”
And we continue to pray for the populations who are suffering because of war. We are heading toward Christmas: Are we able, with God’s help, to take concrete steps of peace? It is not easy; we know that. Certain conflicts have historically deep roots. But we also have the testimony of men and women who have worked wisely and patiently for peaceful coexistence. Let their example be followed! Let every effort be put toward addressing and removing the causes of conflict, while at the same time – speaking of human rights – protecting civilians, hospitals, places of worship, freeing hostages and guaranteeing human rights. Let us not forget battered Ukraine, Palestine, Israel.
“The commitment to human rights is never finished!” he said, adding that he is close to all those who work and fight to defend human rights in the concrete situations of everyday life.
The World Health Organization has adopted a resolution urging for prompt and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.
The United Nations, in a letter to the Council, Mr. Guterres invoked Article 99, contained in Chapter XV of the Charter.
This says that the UN chief “may bring to attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
However, the United States, via Amb. Robert Wood vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire put forward by the United Arab Emirates and backed by more than 90 Member States at a meeting in New York City. Compared to 13 council members’ votes in favor, the U.S. was the sole veto. The U.K. abstained.
On Sunday, the WHO’s Executive Board convened a special session in Geneva to discuss the dire situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
(Source) Christian Churches, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical, have called repeatedly for an immediate Ceasefire in Gaza; addressing the Biden Administration.
Pope Francis has lamented that his calls for a ceasefire have been unheaded and noted that only the weapons industry is winning. He said that since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights many " steps backward have been taken.”
Christians in Jordan and the Holy Land will hold no Christmas festivities as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people - only liturgies and prayer will mark the season.
Following the Angelus on December 10th, Pope Francis on Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “It is like a master plan,” he said. “Many steps have been taken, many still need to be made, and, unfortunately, at times, steps backward have been taken.”
And we continue to pray for the populations who are suffering because of war. We are heading toward Christmas: Are we able, with God’s help, to take concrete steps of peace? It is not easy; we know that. Certain conflicts have historically deep roots. But we also have the testimony of men and women who have worked wisely and patiently for peaceful coexistence. Let their example be followed! Let every effort be put toward addressing and removing the causes of conflict, while at the same time – speaking of human rights – protecting civilians, hospitals, places of worship, freeing hostages and guaranteeing human rights. Let us not forget battered Ukraine, Palestine, Israel.
“The commitment to human rights is never finished!” he said, adding that he is close to all those who work and fight to defend human rights in the concrete situations of everyday life.
The World Health Organization has adopted a resolution urging for prompt and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.
The United Nations, in a letter to the Council, Mr. Guterres invoked Article 99, contained in Chapter XV of the Charter.
This says that the UN chief “may bring to attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
However, the United States, via Amb. Robert Wood vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire put forward by the United Arab Emirates and backed by more than 90 Member States at a meeting in New York City. Compared to 13 council members’ votes in favor, the U.S. was the sole veto. The U.K. abstained.
On Sunday, the WHO’s Executive Board convened a special session in Geneva to discuss the dire situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Moreover, almost 2 million people have been displaced. With nowhere to go, and with neither food nor water, observers are describing the situation as desperate, a humanitarian catastrophe.
According to the organization, only 14 hospitals are partially functional. On Sunday, Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme said there was not enough food, and people were starving in Gaza.
Christmas will be different this year in the Kingdom of Jordan; and all of the Holy Land. No lights will shine as Christians celebrate the coming of the Lord.
The usually cheerful festivities will be muted, at the request of Christian leaders in the country, in a gesture of solidarity with the suffering Palestinian people just across the border.
Pope Francis has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 18,000 people have died since Israel began military operations on October 7th.
The decision to cancel festivities, including bazaars, musical celebrations and the distribution of gifts, came from the Jordanian Council of Churches, which asked that its communities restrict their Christmas celebrations to prayer and religious ceremonies, as well as on donating to funds in support of children in Gaza. Over 8,000 children have died so far in the strip.
Bethlehem, too, will be dim over the Christmas period. There will be no Christmas tree at the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. "We will celebrate in sobriety," said Father Francesco Patton of the Custody of the Holy Land.
No celebrations this year, as the world weeps for the victims of violence.
According to the organization, only 14 hospitals are partially functional. On Sunday, Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN World Food Programme said there was not enough food, and people were starving in Gaza.
Christmas will be different this year in the Kingdom of Jordan; and all of the Holy Land. No lights will shine as Christians celebrate the coming of the Lord.
The usually cheerful festivities will be muted, at the request of Christian leaders in the country, in a gesture of solidarity with the suffering Palestinian people just across the border.
Pope Francis has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 18,000 people have died since Israel began military operations on October 7th.
The decision to cancel festivities, including bazaars, musical celebrations and the distribution of gifts, came from the Jordanian Council of Churches, which asked that its communities restrict their Christmas celebrations to prayer and religious ceremonies, as well as on donating to funds in support of children in Gaza. Over 8,000 children have died so far in the strip.
Bethlehem, too, will be dim over the Christmas period. There will be no Christmas tree at the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. "We will celebrate in sobriety," said Father Francesco Patton of the Custody of the Holy Land.
No celebrations this year, as the world weeps for the victims of violence.
PLEASE PRAY for PEACE!
Sources: Vatican News - UN.org - Churches for Middle East Peace - Abouna.org8,000 children killed, and genocide continues in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/o2YuktGi4z
— S A R A H 👑✌️🇵🇸 (@Sarah_Hassan94) December 9, 2023
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