Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio / Archdiocese for the Military, USA (Left), Benjamin Netanyahu by The White House / Flickr (Right)
Following a military attack that struck Holy Family Church in Gaza July 17, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic efforts aimed at peace.
“With the Holy Father, the Catholic bishops of the United States are deeply saddened to learn about the deaths and injuries at Holy Family Church in Gaza caused by a military strike,” Archbishop Timothy Broglio said.
Amid the intensifying conflict in Gaza, Israeli forces struck Holy Family, the territory’s last remaining Catholic church. The attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as the result of “stray ammunition,” killed three people and injured several others, including the parish pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
Archbishop Broglio expressed particular concern for Fr. Romanelli and “all his parishioners, most especially to the families of those killed.”
“Our prayers are for them during these tragic times,” the archbishop said. “With the Holy Father, we also continue to pray and advocate for dialogue and an immediate ceasefire.”
The archbishop’s remarks, released shortly after the news broke, joined those of Pope Leo XIV, who also called for peace and dialogue following the attack.
