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“We receive a call as Christians to live in this land, to bring our contribution to build our future here in this land.”
That is how the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is trying to convince Christians of the Holy Land to avoid the temptation to move away from the troubled region.
In a video message issued July 22, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told the Christians who live in the Holy Land to not give up.
“There is always hope,” he said, speaking in English, with Arabic subtitles, “and first of all hope is not from the outside. First of all, from our heart. And I am sure that if we are united and together we can still give to our children reason for hope for the future.”
Relief kits are being delivered
The cardinal spoke some 10 and a half months since militants from Gaza attacked southern Israel, leading to a massive retaliation on the part of the Israeli military and a months-long campaign to root out the group, Hamas.
A small Christian community in Gaza City, made up mostly of Catholics and Orthodox, has been holding out in the midst of massive destruction and loss of life.
The Jerusalem-based Cardinal Pizzaballa made a surprise visit to Gaza in May, where he announced a humanitarian initiative undertaken with the Knights of Malta. This week, the Order of Malta said it has made its second delivery of vital relief supplies to Holy Family parish in Gaza.
“A total of 40 tons of non-perishable food in kits were delivered for distribution on July 23 by Malteser International, at the new distribution center established by the Latin Patriarchate near the Patriarchate’s compound in northern Gaza. One relief kit can feed a family of five for one month. In the coming days relief kits will be distributed to families who are living in the area,” the Order said.
Planning for further aid is in progress, the Order said: “In addition to the provision of non-perishable food, ready-to-eat meals and specialized food for malnourished children and adults as well as other essential supplies, plans are underway to identify ways to provide medical care on the ground.”
