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COMMENTARY: In the fog of war, the light of the Gospel is needed more than ever.
For 75 years, the situation in the Holy Land has created various unresolved political and diplomatic problems. There are two peoples whose identities are firmly rooted in the same land, both of whom have endured great injustices and both of whom have also increased the sufferings and sorrows of the other. The lack of peace between them not only negatively impacts the lives of Israelis and Palestinians but also destabilizes the whole Middle East and, because of its religious significance, harms global intercultural and interreligious harmony.
It’s understandable that those directly affected, as well as many others across the world — notwithstanding the complex historical and political realities involved — have formed hardened moral opinions about the situation and have chosen sides, determining the good guys to be defended and the bad guys to be condemned and opposed. Such prejudices, however, have been blinding some to what should be rather obvious moral evaluations of what has happened in and around Gaza the last month.
Hamas’ surprise attacks on Oct. 7, invading kibbutzim on the Jewish sabbath, massacring families in their homes, mass murdering youth at parties, sadistically violating women, executing children and seniors in cold blood, killing more than 1,400 and kidnapping and parading 220 others as humiliated trophies, deserves nothing but the firmest excoriation.
That is what the Holy See stated at the U.N. Security Council on Oct. 24, when Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, on behalf of the Holy Father, declared that the Catholic Church “in the most absolute terms and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October against the population of Israel. Thousands were barbarically killed and wounded. … These crimes demonstrate utter contempt for human life and are unjustifiable.”
Continued below.
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For 75 years, the situation in the Holy Land has created various unresolved political and diplomatic problems. There are two peoples whose identities are firmly rooted in the same land, both of whom have endured great injustices and both of whom have also increased the sufferings and sorrows of the other. The lack of peace between them not only negatively impacts the lives of Israelis and Palestinians but also destabilizes the whole Middle East and, because of its religious significance, harms global intercultural and interreligious harmony.
It’s understandable that those directly affected, as well as many others across the world — notwithstanding the complex historical and political realities involved — have formed hardened moral opinions about the situation and have chosen sides, determining the good guys to be defended and the bad guys to be condemned and opposed. Such prejudices, however, have been blinding some to what should be rather obvious moral evaluations of what has happened in and around Gaza the last month.
Hamas’ surprise attacks on Oct. 7, invading kibbutzim on the Jewish sabbath, massacring families in their homes, mass murdering youth at parties, sadistically violating women, executing children and seniors in cold blood, killing more than 1,400 and kidnapping and parading 220 others as humiliated trophies, deserves nothing but the firmest excoriation.
That is what the Holy See stated at the U.N. Security Council on Oct. 24, when Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, on behalf of the Holy Father, declared that the Catholic Church “in the most absolute terms and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October against the population of Israel. Thousands were barbarically killed and wounded. … These crimes demonstrate utter contempt for human life and are unjustifiable.”
Continued below.
Responding Morally as Catholics to the Crisis in the Holy Land
COMMENTARY: In the fog of war, the light of the Gospel is needed more than ever.
