Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, said his visit to the Holy Land was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the local Christian community and a demonstration of support for “all the friends of peace.”
The visit was his first action after assuming the presidency of the French bishops’ conference on July 1.
“We know that there are friends here, on all sides,” the cardinal said at an Aug. 19 Jerusalem press conference accompanied by Bishop Benoit Bertrand of Pontoise and Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, both vice presidents of the conference. In a press release prior to their visit, the French bishops recognized the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and the need for the release of the Israeli hostages.
‘It’s hard to live here’
“In our heads, in our hearts, in our prayers, we felt that it is the same for everyone. It’s hard to live here. It’s even harder to live here knowing what’s happening in Gaza, which is nearby. So, we have it in our heads, we have it in our hearts, we feel how much this situation weighs on us,” said Cardinal Aveline at the concluding press conference of their Aug. 16-20 visit.
Church sources confirmed to OSV News that the churches in Gaza are OK, although fighting has intensified all around them as Israel continues to expand its military campaign and Hamas continues to hold 50 people hostage, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
“The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Gaza City, particularly in light of recent decisions and the ongoing mobilization towards an imminent invasion,” the Latin Patriarchate said in an Aug. 20 statement obtained by OSV News
Bombardments are ‘dangerously close’
“Reports received from our parish of the Holy Family indicate that several quarters in the vicinity of the compound have now been served with evacuation orders,” it said. “Our people on the ground testify that the sound and impact of bombardments are drawing dangerously close to the parish compound itself.”
Read more: https://en.abouna.org/content/cardinal-jean-marc-aveline-when-all-hope-seems-disappear-holy-land-hope-christ%E2%80%99s
By Judith Sudilovsky | osvnews.com and detroitcatholic.com
