RAMALLAH: Pope Francis appealed on Sunday for an end to the war ravaging the Holy Land, praying especially for Christians holed up in the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza.
At the Angelus prayer, the Pope said he continues to receive troubling news from Gaza, where ‘unarmed civilians are the targets of bombings and gunfire.’
Pope Francis condemned an attack on the compound of the Catholic parish, ‘where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities, and nuns.’
‘A mother, Mrs. Nahida Khalil Anton, and her daughter, Samar Kamal Anton, were killed, and others were wounded by the shooters while they were going to the bathroom,’ said the Pope.
‘Some say, ‘This is terrorism. This is war.’ Yes, it is war. It is terrorism,’ he said. ‘That is why the Scripture affirms that ‘God stops wars… breaks the bow, splinters the spear’ (Psalm 46:10). Let us pray to the Lord for peace.’
Pope Francis also recalled people in various parts of the world who are suffering due to war
.
‘Let us not forget our brothers and sisters suffering from war, in Ukraine, in Palestine and Israel, and in other conflict zones,’ he said. ‘May the approach of Christmas strengthen the commitment to open paths of peace.’
On Saturday, Israeli forces carried out heavy bombardment in the area surrounding Gaza’s only Catholic parish.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem released a statement alleging that an IDF tank fired a rocket which struck the Convent of the Missionaries of Charity, destroying the building’s generator and setting off a massive blaze that damaged the house.
Two more rockets reportedly rendered the convent uninhabitable for the 54 people with disabilities for whom the Sisters of Mother Theresa were caring.
”The Convent is home to over 54 disabled persons and is part of the church compound, which was signalled as a place of worship since the beginning of the war,’ said the Patriarchate.
Later in the day, an Israeli sniper killed two Christian women who had taken refuge in the Holy Famil
y church compound.
Nahida Khalil Anton, an elderly woman, and her daughter, Samar Kamal Anton, had reportedly exited the church building and were walking toward the Sisters’ Convent.
‘One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety,’ the statement said.
The sniper reportedly shot and wounded 7 other people as they tried to protect others inside the church compound.
‘No warning was given; no notification was provided,’ said the Patriarchate. ‘They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents.’
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA
KUWAIT CITY: H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, today conveyed the condolences of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his sympathy to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, on the passing of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
This came as the Emir of Kuwait received H.H. Sheikh Hamad and the delegation accompanying him.
The Ruler of Fujairah expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased, praying to God Almighty to grant him mercy and dwell him in His paradise, and to grant the Al-Sabah family and the Kuwaiti people patience and solace.
H.H. Sheikh Hamad also extended the condolences and sympathies of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, over the passing o
f Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The attendees lauded the exemplary character of the deceased and his journey of giving and service for his country and people, wishing continued progress and prosperity for the State of Kuwait under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mishal.
Offering condolences alongside the Ruler of Fujairah were H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Authority for Culture and Media; Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi; Dr. Sheikh Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman’s Ruler Court, and a number of high-ranking officials.
H.H. Sheikh Hamad and his accompanying delegation had arrived in Kuwait earlier today, where they were received at Kuwait International Airport by the Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
Source: Emirates News Agency