Montreal/Königstein, July 17, 2025 – The Catholic parish of the Holy Family in Gaza was severely damaged today in a raid. According to the Latin Patriarchate, three people were killed. Among the injured, the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, sustained a minor injury to his leg.
The church suffered major structural damage, and the Christian community in Gaza remains in shock as the ongoing conflict continues to devastate the region.
Just a few days ago, in a video message sent to international charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Fr. Gabriel Romanelli warned about the deteriorating situation: “The situation at the municipality remains very, very serious. The bombings continue, as you know, in Rafah, in the south of the Strip, but also in the north, the area of Jabalia and other places as well. And so, another day of war, another hour of war, continues to complicate the lives of tens and hundreds of thousands of people.”
Despite the dire circumstances, Fr. Gabriel emphasized the importance of prayer and solidarity: “We ask you to continue helping us—to pray a lot, and to encourage others to pray. To seek peace and justice by all means, and also to lend a hand to these poor people. May Our Lady give us the strength to sow peace and a little hope in these people, and may this come to an end as soon as possible.”
Call for prayers and support
Marie-Claude Lalonde, national director of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada, said she was “deeply shaken” by the latest tragedy to strike Gaza’s tiny Christian community. “I am deeply shaken by this attack on a very small community which, every day, tries its best to survive, while helping those it can on the ground.”
The Christian community in Gaza numbers around 500 people, including refugees from other parishes and about 200 members of the Greek Orthodox Church. 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.
“I urgently ask friends and benefactors of ACN Canada to pray for the return of peace to the Holy Land and to continue supporting ACN’s efforts to this end,” implores Marie-Claude Lalonde, adding, “Peace, now!” Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) also calls for prayers for the repose of the souls of the three people who lost their lives, as well as for all those impacted by this tragedy, including Fr. Gabriel Romanelli and the children sheltering in the parish.
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Children caught in the bombardment
For months, the Holy Family parish had been a refuge for around 500 Christians, including displaced families from across Gaza. Among them were children who shared their dreams and fears with ACN only days before the attack—dreams now overshadowed by uncertainty, as the classrooms where they found shelter are heavily damaged.
Julia, 10 years old, said: “I have been at the church since the beginning of the war. I live with my family in a classroom at the Latin convent. I have two sisters: Leila, who is 13 years old, and Natalie, who is 9. I miss school and my friends. I dream of becoming a dermatologist. When I am afraid, my family gives me a sense of safety. I hope the war ends well, everything reopens, and everyone returns to their home.”
Tarek, 14 years old, echoed the same longing for normal life: “I have been staying at the Latin Church for about eight months. I live with my family in a classroom. I have two sisters. I miss school and my classmates. Sometimes I wake up and things are calm, there is no shelling, so I go and help at the Latin Church. I dream of becoming a doctor. My parents give me a sense of safety. I hope the war ends, that everyone returns to their homes, and that the crossing reopens.”
The status of Julia, Tarek, and the other children who are sheltering in the parish is currently uncertain. Due to the extensive damage to the compound, no information about their condition is available at this time. This situation highlights the critical need for peace and humanitarian access.
The Executive President of ACN International, Regina Lynch, declared: “After today’s tragic attack on the Catholic parish in Gaza and the continued suffering of Christian families in the West Bank, we ask all our friends and benefactors to stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Please pray for them and, if possible, support our efforts to help the Church in Gaza and in the West Bank during this critical time.”
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Watch a video of Father Romanelli recorded on July 10:
Watch Marie-Claude Lalonde’s appeal for prayers for peace in the Holy Land:
