Christian clergy in Gaza defy evacuation orders to remain with their flocks
In a joint-statement, the Latin Catholic and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem call on both parties to end hostilities and allow families on both sides to begin to heal the wounds of war.
Both the Catholic and the Greek Orthodox clergy and religious in Gaza will stay in their respective compounds, to care for all those who wish to remain despite recent evacuation orders as Israel undertakes a ground offensive to control Gaza city.
In a joint statement published on Tuesday, 26 August, the Latin Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem say that each person living in the compounds must decide according to his or her own conscience, but that for many an evacuation to the south of the Gaza Strip would mean certain death.
“Since the outbreak of the war, the Greek Orthodox compound of Saint Porphyrius and the [Catholic] Holy Family compound have been a refuge for hundreds of civilians. Among them are elderly people, women, and children. In the Latin compound we are hosting since many years people with disabilities, who are under the care of the Missionaries of Charity sisters,” reads the statement, signed by Cardinal Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos III.
“Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees living in the facilities will have to decide according to their conscience what they will do. Among those who have sought shelter within the walls of the compounds, many are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months. Leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south would be nothing less than a death sentence,” the Patriarchs say.
“For this reason, the clergy and nuns have decided to remain and continue to care for all those who will be in the compounds.”
The Christian leaders quote Pope Leo XIV to say that the continued campaign by Israel against Gaza and the insistence of Palestinian factions to hold on to Israeli hostages cannot be the solution. “We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground, not only for our community, but for the entire population. We can only repeat what we have already said: There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge. We echo what Pope Leo XIV said a few days ago: ‘All peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and rights, especially the right to live in their own lands; and no one can force them into exile.’”
The Patriarchs appeal for an “end this spiral of violence, to put an end to war and to prioritize the common good of the people. There has been enough devastation, in the territories and in people’s lives. There is no reason to justify keeping civilians as prisoners and hostages in dramatic conditions. It is now time for the healing of the long-suffering families on all sides.” They further call on the international community to “act for an end of this senseless and destructive war, and for the return of the missing people and the Israeli hostages”.
When the war in Gaza began, in 2023, Christians took refuge in the Catholic and Orthodox parish compounds, which are located in proximity to each other. Currently, around 550 Christians, evenly divided between Catholic and Orthodox, are living in the Catholic parish of the Holy Family, plus over 70 people with disabilities who are cared for by the Missionaries of Charity. A further 150 people live in the Orthodox compound.
The Latin parish has become a vital refuge, offering shelter, medicine, and support not only to Christians but also to thousands outside the compound who lack basic necessities. Since the war began several Christians have been killed, most recently in an Israeli strike against the Catholic church, which left three dead and several wounded.
