“Priests Against Genocide” aims to amplify the cries of the innocent, giving voice to those silenced by violence in Gaza.
Newsroom (16/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Under the poignant slogan “Christ died in Gaza,” a group of Catholic priests has formed a global network called “Priests Against Genocide” to denounce the ongoing violence in Gaza and advocate for peace. Founded in Italy, the network sees in the suffering of Palestinians “the presence of Christ himself,” drawing inspiration from Matthew 25, which speaks of Jesus identifying with the poor, hungry, and oppressed.
At an online press conference on Sept. 15, 2025, the group outlined its mission: to pray for a “disarmed and disarming” peace, support Christian communities in the Holy Land, condemn war crimes and genocide—specifically citing the current situation in Gaza—and foster reconciliation and accountability. Over 550 priests from 21 countries, predominantly Italian, have joined the initiative, alongside seven bishops, including Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, archbishop of Rabat, Morocco.
A Pastoral Call for Justice
Father Pietro Rossini, an Xaverian missionary speaking for the network, emphasized that the group’s stance is rooted in faith, not politics. “We cannot remain silent in the face of the tragedy affecting the Palestinian population in Gaza and the Occupied Territories,” he said. “We speak as pastors, as leaders of communities who believe in the Gospel and in the dignity of every human life.”
Rossini clarified that the network’s message is not directed against any group but is “in favor of life and peace.” He condemned both the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel—which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities—and what he described as Israel’s “disproportionate response.” This response, he said, includes war crimes, ethnic cleansing, the use of starvation as a weapon, and genocide against Palestinians, citing the Italian president’s remarks on Israel’s “unintentional errors” as insufficient justification.
“We condemn the logic of war and violence wherever it occurs,” Rossini added, urging respect for international law, United Nations resolutions, and International Criminal Court rulings.
Priests Moved to Act
Individual priests shared personal motivations for joining the network. Father Rito Maresca of the Diocese of Sorrento-Castellammare described the founders as “David against the Goliath of violence.” Father Nicola Colasuonno, rector of the Shrine of St. Guido Conforti in Parma, expressed anguish over the relentless violence and bombings. Father Massimo Nevola, superior of the Jesuit house of St. Ignatius in Rome, said his prior awareness of the Holy Land’s struggles compelled him to act immediately. While the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference has not officially endorsed the initiative, he has not opposed it.
A Symbolic Logo and Public Action
The network’s logo, designed by artist Gianluca Costantini, features the phrase “Christ died in Gaza” and is inspired by an image of a Palestinian mother mourning her son, Mohammed Zakaria. On Sept. 22, 2025, the group will hold its first public event in Rome, coinciding with the eve of the United Nations General Assembly’s closing session. Approximately 50 priests will participate in a prayer service at the Church of St. Andrew on the Quirinal, followed by a march with stops to read testimonies of Palestinian lives. The march will conclude at Montecitorio, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, with prayers, including the Our Father in Arabic.
U.N. Report and Ongoing Conflict
The network’s formation comes amid a U.N. commission of inquiry report, released on Sept. 16, 2025, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The report cites four of the five acts defined as genocide under international law—killing, causing serious harm, inflicting life-threatening conditions, and preventing births—pointing to widespread destruction and statements by Israeli officials as evidence of intent.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the findings as “distorted and false,” accusing the commission of bias and reliance on “Hamas propaganda.” The war, sparked by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, has killed at least 64,905 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, figures the U.N. considers generally reliable. Over 90% of Gaza’s homes are damaged or destroyed, infrastructure has collapsed, and U.N.-backed experts have declared a famine in Gaza City. On Sept. 15, Israeli forces heavily bombarded Gaza City, with reports of a ground invasion beginning late Monday, according to The Jerusalem Post.
A Cry for the Voiceless
“Priests Against Genocide” aims to amplify the cries of the innocent, Rossini said, giving voice to those silenced by violence. As the network prepares for its Rome event, it calls on the global community to prioritize peace, accountability, and the sanctity of human life.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA and Vatican News
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