printed 26 April 2024
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The moderator of the Common Meeting met with the one Catholic parish priest in Gaza who’s visiting Glasgow to speak about his hopes for peace within the Center East.
Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton participated in a panel dialogue with Father Gabriel Romanelli who shared the plight of his Holy Household Parish congregation.
He mentioned individuals in Gaza had been “dwelling in hell” and known as for a ceasefire, describing it as a obligatory step to restart dialogue between all events.
Father Gabriel Romanelli has been unable to attend his church since October 7 final 12 months when Hamas launched its lethal assaults on Israel and took individuals hostage.
He was in Bethlehem within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, attempting to supply drugs for a monk on the time, and has to this point been denied re-entry to Gaza.
Nonetheless, he’s in common contact with about 500 displaced individuals who have taken refuge in his church.
The occasion is organized by the Scottish Catholic Worldwide Help Fund (SCIAF) and takes place on the Glasgow Royal Live performance Corridor.
Mrs Foster-Fulton, who was joined by different Church of Scotland and ecumenical representatives, described the Argentine-born priest as an “extremely gracious and inspirational” man.
“It was an honor to take part on this occasion and Father Gabriel Romanelli spoke in regards to the development of the bridge,” he mentioned.
“He talked about his parish in Gaza and though it was a small Christian neighborhood, it was an oasis for individuals of all faiths and none.”
ceasefire
Earlier than October 7, the church did numerous outreach work to help the area people however the moderator mentioned the priest revealed that it had grow to be a shelter, a hospital and a cemetery.
He mentioned on the occasion that about 34,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza and 1,200 in Israel to this point.
The priest, who has labored in Gaza since 2005, added that greater than 4,500 individuals had been injured in Israel and 77,000 in Gaza, most of them kids and ladies.
Ms Foster-Fulton mentioned: “The panel agreed that there could be no lasting peace with out justice however we can not start that course of till the violence stops and humanitarian assist is allowed in,” the moderator mentioned.
“We talked about what we will do in Scotland, inside the religion neighborhood, to mannequin the peace we need to see globally.”
The Church of Scotland has a historical past spanning over 150 years within the land the place Jesus lived.
He known as out injustice the place he noticed them and spoke for fact and freedom, and as Christians we’re known as to do the identical.
The Church has spoken repeatedly in regards to the horrors which have unfolded within the Center East for the reason that October 7 assaults, praying that every one individuals within the area can reside in peace.
The Common Meeting has beforehand known as on the UK authorities to acknowledge the State of Israel alongside the State of Palestine at once, as a contribution to making sure lasting peace and justice for all.
