Priest returns to Gaza to provide aid in the midst of war

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, has decided to return to Gaza and stand by his community. Regardless of the dangers and challenges, Father Gabriel is determined to provide spiritual, moral, and material assistance to those in need, whatever their religious affiliation.

“Thank you very much for your support during this time. I have been able to return to my parish, the Holy Family in Gaza. It is difficult to explain my feelings because I have been a missionary in Gaza for almost 19 years, and now, when I was finally able to come back, many of my people are no longer here,” Father Gabriel Romanelli tells Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). But the priest feels that his purpose is to do everything he can to alleviate suffering and bring hope to people affected by the war.

The recent conflict in Gaza has left a trail of destruction and loss, with countless lives shattered. The Christian community, both Orthodox and Catholic, has become much smaller. Some Christians were able to flee to Egypt, but Father Gabriel mourns “the loss of 36 individuals, 20 of whom died due to Israeli army bombings or sniper fire. The others primarily succumbed to a lack of medicine. We lost a child from Mother Teresa’s orphanage. So, yes, it is painful, but at the same time, we know they are with God. They are present in Heaven to intercede for peace, justice, and forgiveness of sins, for all of us and for those engaged in war.”

The Argentine priest was in Bethlehem when the conflict began. After more than seven months in Jerusalem, when he was unable to return to his parish, he accompanied His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, on his visit to Gaza on May 15-19.

When asked why he wants to stay in Gaza, while most people want to leave the war zone, Father Gabriel explains that his mission is rooted in his faith and the guidance of his superiors. He firmly believes that his place is in Gaza, where he can provide spiritual, moral, and existential support to Christians, Muslims, and people of all backgrounds.

“I want to stay here because this is my mission,” the missionary says. “While I may be called to serve elsewhere in the future, I am convinced that, for now, my duty as a pastor and parish priest is to be here, offering assistance in every possible way.”

Amidst the chaos, Father Gabriel and his community continue to pray fervently for an end to the scourge of war that plagues humanity. They firmly believe that war is not the will of God, but the result of human actions. Their prayers extend to all victims, and they tirelessly advocate for justice, peace, and reconciliation. “I am not a savior. Our Savior is our Lord Jesus Christ, but I feel that here, at least, I can do something so no one is left behind and sow a little justice and peace. We must speak out for justice, peace, and the liberation of those deprived of freedom. We need the entry of humanitarian aid to heal the thousands wounded and to see the displaced return to their homes in the Gaza Strip. In the same way, the thousands of displaced people from northern Israel should be able to return to their homes.”

Recognizing the immense challenges faced by the people of Gaza, Father Gabriel thanks organizations such as Aid to the Church in Need and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for facilitating the delivery of much-needed assistance. Father Gabriel expresses his gratitude to Aid to the Church in Need, stating, “The situation in the cities is terrible, without a single structure that has not been damaged. Here in the parish, we have around 500 refugees. Of them, about 50 individuals, primarily children, are under the care of the Sisters of Mother Teresa. Additionally, we help thousands of people in the neighborhood, offering water, food, and medicine. We thank ACN’s benefactors for all that they do and encourage them to continue providing spiritual, existential, and material aid to console these suffering hearts. May the Virgin Mary bless us and thank you again for everything.”

—Maria Lozano & Christophe Lafontaine