Faith
Gaza’s Catholic Church Stands Firm Amid Strife
Faith Facts
- The Holy Family Church in Gaza, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, was hit by an Israeli strike, resulting in two deaths, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
- Church leaders and volunteers remain committed to caring for vulnerable civilians within the church compound, despite ongoing conflict and evacuation orders in the surrounding area.
- Calls for justice, protection of civilians, and prayerful service continue to guide the actions of Christian leaders and faithful within the community.
Church leaders at the Holy Family parish in Gaza City have vowed to continue sheltering and aiding the elderly, disabled, and displaced, standing as beacons of compassion during turmoil.
A moral and pastoral commitment to serve those in need is at the heart of their decision, honoring their Christian duty despite danger around them.
“The choice to leave or stay must be left to the conscience of every civilian,” the Emergency Committee stated, emphasizing respect for individual liberty and responsibility before God.
Patriarchates of Jerusalem have warned that forced evacuations could be devastating for those seeking refuge in places of worship, urging international leaders to safeguard families and preserve dignity.
Priest Fr. Gabriel Romanelli declared that serving those suffering is a reflection of Christ’s example, with clergy and volunteers risking their lives to provide hope amidst despair.
He said, “We are here to serve Jesus in the person of the poor and the sick… otherwise, how will those people survive, how will they manage?”
Despite escalating ground operations, church volunteers, including the Missionaries of Charity, stand united in faith, keeping the doors open to the displaced and praying unceasingly for healing and peace.
The Israel Defense Forces maintain that military targets—not places of worship—are their focus, and that warnings are issued before strikes to protect noncombatants.
However, the warfare has led to widespread suffering and complex challenges for those remaining in Gaza City, as many refuse to abandon their homes and spiritual community.
Christian faith teaches us to serve those in greatest need, uphold the sanctity of life, and trust in God’s redeeming grace even in seasons of conflict and uncertainty. Let us pray for peace, wisdom for leaders, and renewed strength for all who serve the vulnerable in Christ’s name.
Faith Facts
- Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell slams BBC’s “appalling lack of religious literacy” at Religion Media Centre briefing.
- Former BBC Head of Religion Michael Wakelin agrees remedy lies in embedding religious understanding across all BBC output, not more faith programs.
- Religion remains vital for millions’ belonging, values, purpose, and identity in Britain, demanding media accountability.
The Archbishop of York courageously highlighted the BBC’s failure to grasp faith’s role in society, echoing Biblical calls to proclaim truth boldly. As a former BBC religion leader, Wakelin affirms strong specialist programs persist but broader institutional ignorance undermines them.
From news to dramas, BBC must reflect religion’s global influence and moral goods, honoring Christian heritage that shaped Britain’s freedoms. This literacy fosters workplaces accommodating believers and combats misinformation’s spiritual void.
“religion is still a huge influence in the world”
“The BBC doesn’t need a larger religious broadcasting department. It needs greater religious literacy across the corporation”
“religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
Stand firm for faith in media—pray for BBC renewal and support outlets upholding Biblical truth.
Faith Facts
- British court denies Ukraine’s extradition of UOC supporter Artem Dmytruk, accused of torture by SBU.
- Dmytruk, Ukrainian MP and UOC subdeacon, opposed 2024 law banning UOC over alleged ROC ties.
- UOC declared independence from ROC in 2022, rejecting Russia’s military actions amid government crackdown.
A British court upheld religious liberty by rejecting Ukraine’s request to extradite Artem Dmytruk, a defender of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church facing trumped-up charges.
Dmytruk, the sole parliamentary voice against banning the UOC, lost his security and fled after SBU threats, echoing biblical calls to protect the faithful from oppression.
Despite forming a defense unit against Russia, President Zelensky’s regime pursues him, highlighting assaults on Christian autonomy.
SBU faces accusations of assassinating dissidents, mirroring FSB tactics while denying involvement.
Robert Amsterdam, representing Dmytruk and UOC, stated: “This ruling is a decisive win that recognises the lengths to which the Ukrainian government will go to silence political opposition, particularly as it relates to its violations of religious freedom.”
Amsterdam added: “Mr Dmytruk has not only condemned the Russian invasion, but actively took up arms in March 2022 when he formed a territorial defence unit in defence of his city against Russia. This has not stopped the administration of President Zelensky from seeking to forcibly return Mr Dmytruk over what are clearly trumped-up charges.”
Defend faith and freedom: Pray for persecuted believers and support champions of religious liberty worldwide.
Faith Facts
- The BBC’s Royal Charter expires in 2027, prompting a consultation on enhancing religious content across dramas and discussions.
- Religion supplies vital purpose, identity, and values for millions of Britons, demanding robust public broadcasting.
- Faith-based media acts as a bulwark against polarization, prejudice, and societal chaos, promoting cohesion.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, acting leader of the Church of England, condemns the BBC’s appalling lack of religious literacy.
He calls for faith to permeate the broadcaster’s entire output, not just token programs like Songs of Praise.
This call comes amid a government review of its future.
“My concern is much more about the place of religion across the whole output of the BBC, rather than simply seeing it as religious broadcasting in that rather more narrow definition. So I note with sadness and some distress the sometimes appalling lack of religious literacy in so much of the BBC.”
“I know it’s a hard thing to fight for – religious broadcasting and public service broadcasting – but I believe it is a precious bulwark against polarisation, intolerance, prejudice, chaos. The fact is that religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
“Religious broadcasting increasingly becomes the poor and underfunded relative in a BBC which I believe needs to be reminded of its core business.”
As patriots grounded in biblical truth, urge leaders to restore faith-honoring media, safeguarding our Christian heritage and freedoms.
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