BROKEN Bay Bishop Anthony Randazzo is in Rome for the Synod on Synodality and said the participants were shocked by the ongoing violence in the conflict between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.
“The murder of civilians, kidnapping of innocent people, women and children included, is never a solution to conflict,” he said in a message on Facebook.
“As the Holy Father said, terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.
“And to celebrate what has and is occurring in the Middle East is abhorrent – including by some on our Sydney streets.
“I will continue to pray for peace and that we do not see the potential incalculable consequences for the whole region escalate.”
It is closing in on a week since the surprise attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel.
At least 150 Israelis are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza after the attack that killed 1300 people last Saturday, the BBC reported.
The attacks have been labelled by many as Israel’s “September 11”.
Retaliatory air strikes launched by Israel have killed at least 1500 people in Gaza.
Water and electricity have been switched off in Gaza by Israel in an effort to force civilians to leave as they ready for additional military action.
The leader of the Church in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has called for a day of fasting, abstinence and prayer.
In a statement released yesterday, Cardinal Pizzaballa said the “pain and dismay at what is happening is great”.
“Once again we find ourselves in the midst of a political and military crisis,” he said.
He said the violence would make the hatred between peoples grow.
“Everything seems to speak of death,” he said.
Cardinal Pizzaballa called for dioceses, parishes, families and ministries to organise a day of prayer, fasting, abstinence, Eucharistic adoration and rosaries on October 17.
