Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - "You know very well the reality we are experiencing. The war has been going on since October 7: bombings by Israel on Gaza following Hamas attacks (see Fides, 8/10/2023). Here in Jerusalem, the situation is abnormal but peaceful. There are no pilgrims, there are no tourists".
Sister Giovanna Sguazza, Comboni missionary in the Holy Land, is experiencing these days full of violence with her sisters and the entire population. From the land of Jesus, she exhorts everyone to join in prayer to ask for the gift of peace. "I" - she tells Fides - am one of the eight Comboni sisters who live in the West Bank, very close to the separation wall. We know the Palestinian and Israeli reality well. All we can do is pray, the Lord of Peace, Shalom, is there and will come". "The situation is dramatic, it is scary", adds the missionary. "There are many military checkpoints almost everywhere. On Fridays, the day of prayer, there are guards all over the city". Sister Giovanna shares the words repeated in recent days by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the atrocities and violence that is bloodying the Holy Land. "Cardinal Pizzaballa" says Sister Giovanna "has described the situation very well, and I, a Comboni sister, agree with him. Let's put everything in the hands and heart of Jesus. Here in Jerusalem - adds the Comboni missionary - many churches have launched prayer initiatives and we move forward with confidence. I ask everyone to join us in prayer - concludes Sister Giovanna... In the general audience on Wednesday 18 October in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis invited everyone to dedicate today, Friday, October 27, to prayer and fasting to invoke the gift of peace throughout the world. (GS/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 27/10/2023)
