An Illinois man accused of murdering a Palestinian boy and stabbing his mother because they were Muslim is a member of a local Catholic parish.
Conflict in the Middle East
Pope calls Gaza parish staff as bombing continues
Huddled in a stairwell at the Catholic parish and school in Gaza, Rosary Sister Nabila Saleh, another sister and Father Youssef Asaad filmed themselves speaking to Pope Francis on the phone and begging for his continued prayers.
Jerusalem cardinal offers himself in exchange for Israeli hostages
The Catholic Church’s highest ranking prelate in the Holy Land offered his “absolute availability” to be exchanged for Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas.
Catholic colleges, universities condemn Hamas attacks on Israel, pray for peace
Catholic colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have condemned a devastating attack on Israel, while calling for prayers for peace.
Rhode Island Catholic editor recalls his visit last December to Gaza border area of incursion
Dodging sporadic rocket fire comes with the territory in Israel, especially when you live along the tense border with Gaza in the south.
Israeli families missing loved ones wait for proof of life; patriarch appeals for prayer, fasting
Bodies still remain strewn along roads and in communities as authorities go through the arduous and gruesome process of identifying so many bodies, some of which first responders have said were mutilated and burned beyond recognition.
In midst of Israel-Hamas war, prayers for peace go up in Archdiocese of Baltimore
Standing beside a white “peace pole” inscribed with “May peace prevail on earth” in multiple languages, the teaching assistant professor of economics was among more than 50 administrators, faculty members and students who prayed for peace four days after Hamas invaded Israel.
Synod members from around the globe unite in praying for peace
Synod participants who have known war and conflict firsthand led the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 12 by praying for peace between Israel and Palestine, throughout the Middle East and across the globe.
‘War traumatizes everybody’ and ‘deep-seated peace’ needed, says Jesuit priest working in Jerusalem
Father John Paul, rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute spoke with OSV News Oct. 11, four days after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip stormed into approximately 22 locations in Israel, gunning down civilians and taking some 100-150 hostages, including infants, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Pope condemns terrorism, expresses concern for civilians
Pope Francis condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he also expressed concern about Israel’s tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians.
Pilgrims pray as Israeli families mourn loved ones and Gaza undergoes retaliation attack
Pilgrims who were in Israel following a surprise terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists against civilian communities in southern Israel Oct. 7 lit candles and said prayers of peace at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as fighting continued in southern Israel.
War defeats human dignity, avoids finding solution, Vatican cardinal says
Terrorism, violence, barbarism and extremism undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.