The Catholic and Orthodox priests who are staying in Gaza City despite the forced evacuation order from the Israeli military are serving as a "courageous witness," said a statement from the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM.
"The recent news of the forced evacuations from Gaza City and the progressive military occupation of the city, with dramatic consequences in terms of innocent victims and humanitarian crisis, has stirred in our hearts even deeper sorrow and closeness towards the Christians and the entire population of Gaza, who for almost two years have been enduring an unprecedented conflict," Fr. Ielpo said in the statement, which was shared on social media on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Ielpo was named Custos of the Holy Land earlier this year.
The Custos of the Holy Land is the head of the Custodial Curia, a group of Franciscan friars who "welcome pilgrims, serve the poor, carrying out local ministry and to guard and carry out the liturgical life of the Holy Places."
The Custody of the Holy Land further "express(ed) our fraternal closeness and solidarity with the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem, which, together with their priests, religious men and women, continue to ensure a presence alongside the Christians of Gaza City."
The patriarchs released a statement explaining that for many of those in the Catholic and the Orthodox Church compounds, trying to leave would be a "death sentence." The churches are caring for the elderly and disabled, and now the situation of famine has exacerbated the situation.
Father Ielpo reflected that the remaining Christians in Gaza "are like Mary, at the foot of the Cross, before the perpetuation of Good Friday's passion in the suffering members of the Body of Christ."
He praised their courage:
These priests "have chosen not to abandon their flock — through their physical presence beside the weakest and most vulnerable, and through the Word of the One who knows that only Love conquers hatred, vengeance, and death," he said.
"United in prayer with the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem, we appeal to the consciences of those who can stop this senseless spiral of violence, that they may finally take effective action to put an end to this war and to the suffering of all its victims."
