UN delegation made an unannounced visit to Holy Family Parish, the sole Latin-rite Catholic church in Gaza, where hundreds of war-displaced residents have sought refuge.
Newsroom (03 July 2025, Gaudium Press) A United Nations delegation made an unannounced visit on Tuesday to Holy Family Parish, the sole Latin-rite Catholic church in Gaza, where hundreds of war-displaced residents have sought refuge. The visit, reported by Servizio Informazione Religiosa (SIR), the news agency of the Italian bishops’ conference, marked the first time representatives from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) assessed conditions at the parish.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentine pastor of Holy Family Parish, told SIR that the delegation aimed to evaluate the dire circumstances faced by displaced families. “They greeted our displaced people and gathered their testimonies of distress,” Romanelli said, noting the group’s engagement with the community.
The delegation toured the parish facilities, including areas where the Missionaries of Charity provide care for severely disabled children from Muslim families. “Despite the critical situation, the U.N. representatives dedicated time to these children, who are lovingly cared for,” Romanelli added. The visit concluded with a prayer for peace inside the church, a moment of shared hope amid the ongoing conflict.
Since the war escalated following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants, Holy Family Parish has served as a lifeline for both Christian and Muslim families in Gaza. The conflict has left thousands dead, wounded, or displaced, with the parish offering shelter and aid to those in need. Romanelli described the international community’s response to the humanitarian crisis as “as deadly as the weapons in Gaza,” highlighting the inconsistent delivery of aid and frequent evacuation orders.
The priest’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). A recent Haaretz exposé alleged that IDF soldiers were ordered to fire on unarmed civilians, prompting an investigation into potential war crimes. Reports also surfaced of soldiers firing on refugees awaiting humanitarian aid, further intensifying criticism.
Romanelli painted a grim picture of life in Gaza, where residents face relentless uncertainty. “One day, we hear a truce is imminent; the next, we’re told to evacuate for military operations,” he said. “Humanitarian aid is announced, then blocked. Everyone is under severe psychological strain, wandering the Strip with whatever they can carry.”
Holy Family Parish has drawn global attention, including from the late Pope Francis, who maintained daily contact with Romanelli until two days before his death on April 21, 2025. The parish’s work, Romanelli told SIR, reflects a commitment to solidarity and hospitality for all in need, regardless of faith.
As the war continues, the parish remains a beacon of hope in a region gripped by despair, with its pastor and community steadfast in their mission to serve.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA News
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