The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem wrote a letter to this community during “one of the most difficult and painful periods in our recent times and history.” The air strikes and deaths in Gaza must be denounced as much as what happened on 7 October. This tragedy “must lead us all, religious, political, civil society, international community, to a more serious commitment” because “We owe it to the many victims.” Christians should not fail to look at Jesus at present for he is the one who, from the Cross, told us that peace is not “victory over others”.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Card Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote a letter to the faithful of his diocese, which was released today. Speaking about the terrible, past few days, he says that “It is time to stop this war, this senseless violence”, adding that we need “a word from the Gospel to help us live this tragic moment by uniting our feelings with those of Jesus.

In the letter, the cardinal, who has lived in the Holy City for more than 30 years, looks back at the events of the last two weeks in all their gravity.  He sees what is happening as “one of the most difficult and painful periods in our recent times and history.”

“My conscience and moral duty require me to state clearly that what happened on 7 October in southern Israel is in no way permissible and we cannot but condemn it. There is no reason for such an atrocity. Yes, we have a duty to state this and to denounce it. The use of violence is not compatible with the Gospel, and it does not lead to peace. The life of every human person has equal dignity before God, who created us all in His image.”

“The same conscience, however, with a great burden on my heart, leads me to state with equal clarity today that this new cycle of violence has brought to Gaza over five thousand deaths, including many women and children, tens of thousands of wounded, neighborhoods razed to the ground, lack of medicine, lack of water and of basic necessities for over two million people.

“These are tragedies that cannot be understood and which we have a duty to denounce and condemn unreservedly. The continuous heavy bombardment that has been pounding Gaza for days will only cause more death and destruction and will only increase hatred and resentment. It will not solve any problem, but rather create new ones. It is time to stop this war, this senseless violence.

“It is only by ending decades of occupation and its tragic consequences, as well as giving a clear and secure national perspective to the Palestinian people that a serious peace process can begin. Unless this problem is solved at its root, there will never be the stability we all hope for.

“The tragedy of these days must lead us all, religious, political, civil society, international community, to a more serious commitment in this regard than what has been done so far. This is the only way to avoid other tragedies like the one we are experiencing now. We owe it to the many victims of these days and to those of years past. We do not have the right to leave this task to others.”

In the midst of all this, however, the Patriarch tells his community, we cannot stop looking to Christ. “We need a Word to accompany us, to comfort and encourage us. We need it like the air we breathe.”

In this regard, he cites the words Jesus spoke immediately before his passion, from the Gospel of John: ““I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulations, but take courage, I have conquered the world (Jn 16:33).”

“He does not say that He shall win, but that He has already won. Even in the turmoil to come, the disciples will be able to have peace. This is not a matter of theoretical irenic peace, nor of resignation”; it is founded on the way Jesus won, i.e. on the cross.

“I was on the cross that Jesus won: not with weapons, not with political power, not by great means, nor by imposing himself. [. . .] It is on this that we stake our faith today.”

“To have the courage of love and peace here, today, means not allowing hatred, revenge, anger and pain to occupy all the space of our hearts, of our speech, of our thinking. It means making a personal commitment to justice, being able to affirm and denounce the painful truth of injustice and evil that surrounds us, without letting it pollute our relationships. It means being committed, being convinced that it is still worthwhile to do all we can for peace, justice, equality and reconciliation. Our speech must not be about death and closed doors. On the contrary, our words must be creative, lifegiving, they must give perspective and open horizons.

“It takes courage to be able to demand justice without spreading hatred. It takes courage to ask for mercy, to reject oppression, to promote equality without demanding uniformity, while remaining free. It takes courage today, even in our diocese and our communities, to maintain unity, to feel united to one another, even in the diversity of our opinions, sensitivities and visions.”

Prayer can take place within concrete action. “I pray for us all, and in particular for the small community of Gaza, which is suffering most of all,” reads the Patriarch’s letter. “In particular, our thoughts go out to the 18 brothers and sisters who perished recently, and to their families whom we know personally. Their pain is great, and yet with every passing day, I realize that they are at peace.”

However, praying is “for all innocent victims. The suffering of the innocent before God has a precious and redemptive value because it is united with the redemptive suffering of Christ. May their suffering bring peace ever closer!

The letter ends by citing Mary Queen of Palestine, patroness of the diocese, venerated in the Marian shrine of Deir Rafat, built a century ago on orders of then Patriarch Luigi Barlassina, located halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, whose liturgical feast falls tomorrow (25 October).

“The shrine was erected during another time of war, and was chosen as a special place to pray for peace,” writes the cardinal, announcing his intention to reconsecrate the Holy Land to the Queen of Palestine.

Lastly, “We will not be able to gather all together this year, because the situation does not allow it. But I am sure that the whole diocese will be united on that day in prayer and in solidarity for peace, not worldly peace, but the peace which Christ gives us.”

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