Cardinal Fernando Filoni concludes his visit to the Holy Land with a warning about the plight of Christians due to the lack of pilgrims

Cardinal Fernando Filoni concludes his visit to the Holy Land with a warning about the plight of Christians due to the lack of pilgrims

Impact of Hamas Attack on Southern Israel

On October 7, 2023, as Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, numerous pilgrims found themselves stranded due to bombings, closed borders, and canceled flights.

This situation had a significant impact on the Christian community, leading to the suspension of pilgrimages and subsequent repercussions.

Challenges Faced by Christians in Gaza

For the approximately 1,000 Christians residing in the Gaza Strip, the consequences of the conflict were felt deeply.

Religious sites, such as the Holy Family Catholic Parish, suffered damage amid the fighting.

Damage to Christian Facilities

Alessandro Monteduro, the director of the Italian office of Aid to the Church in Need, highlighted the situation in Gaza.

He reported that 53 Christian families’ homes were destroyed, and the Sisters of the Holy Rosary school sustained damage.

Impact on Christians in the West Bank

Monteduro further emphasized the broader impact, noting that in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, where Bethlehem is situated, around 5,000 Christians lost their jobs due to business closures resulting from the conflict.

Source and Publication Details

This story was initially published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language news partner of CNA (Catholic News Agency).

The content has been translated and adapted by CNA for a broader audience.

Professional Background of Eduardo Berdejo

Eduardo Berdejo holds a Journalism degree from Peru’s Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and has been an integral part of the ACI Prensa team since 2001.

His journalistic coverage includes significant events like Pope Francis’ visits to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

Additionally, he has pursued studies in Comparative Literature at the University of Piura and completed the Comprehensive Course on Style Correction at the Lima Publishing School in Peru.

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