Cardinal Vincent Nichols is keen that the Catholic community of Gaza should not be forgotten at this desperate time.
In a statement issued on 16th May, he said:
‘Today I have had a phone conversation with Fr Mario da Silva, the Catholic parish priest in Gaza, to offer our prayers and support. He told me that life is so hard and everyone is desperate with shortages of water and other basic necessities. He said that knowing Catholics in England and Wales and across the world remembered the people of Gaza, and were praying for them was a great encouragement.
'Please pray for peace in the Middle East and especially for the people in Gaza. They are living through traumatic times of remembrance and protest at the dramatically deteriorating humanitarian situation. This is a people who are both extremely vulnerable and deprived. Their fate is central to peace and peace can never be built on neglect.
'In the lead up to Pentecost I echo Pope Francis’ call for prayers for the people in Gaza.'
Photo: Cardinal Vincent celebrating Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church on a visit to Gaza in 2014 (Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk)
