Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, published an open letter in which he asks for donations to be able to care for people who suffer in a society “marked by hate.”
In the statement, the cardinal explains that it is “charity and prayer” that mobilize the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (PLJ) “in times of extreme difficulty.” Thanks to this, the Patriarch writes, “many lives were saved and much suffering was alleviated” during the COVID-19 emergency, the Beirut port explosion in 2020, and the earthquake in Syria and Turkey this year.
“In all these situations we heard and responded to the cry of the poor. Once again, their cry is heard in the Holy Land because of the war that has been ravaging the country for more than three weeks,” he says.
The Patriarch then comments that the outbreak of war “has not only caused death, destruction and hunger in Gaza,” but has also brought with it “high unemployment,” especially in the area of the city of Bethlehem. Furthermore, Cardinal Pizzaballa points out that the drama of violence has affected “countless families of different religions” and all Catholic institutions in the region, including schools.
“In Gaza, our material resources have extended beyond our walls to include our suffering neighbors and those who have taken refuge elsewhere. The spirit of coordination has been evident, since local actors have also extended a hand to us,” he says.
In that sense, he indicates that in the Holy Land they share practically everything, “from food and water to medicines and supplies,” and adds that these complicated times have allowed them to learn that to rebuild the physical world, one must first “build and protect the trust between people.”
Finally, the Patriarch thanks the help of hundreds of people who have contacted the PLJ, and explains that this time – as has happened in previous emergencies – the episcopate of the Holy Land knows what it has to do: “ Without a doubt we will do it again,” he remarks.
“Please help us make a concrete difference and build the necessary environment so that, in this society marked by hate, we can re-sow the seeds of trust, hope and love. Please receive my prayer and my gratitude for each of you,” Cardinal Pizzaballa concluded.