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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Irish bishops accuse Israeli government of ‘genocidal actions' in Gaza
Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of 'genocidal actions' and 'ethnic cleansing' in the Gaza Strip. The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be 'cut off' and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.
The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish Catholic bishops accuse Israel of ‘genocidal actions' and 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
IRISH CATHOLIC BISHOPS have accused the Israeli government of 'genocidal actions' and 'ethnic cleansing' in the Gaza Strip. In a statement today, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be 'cut off' and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians. At Masses this weekend across Ireland parishioners will be invited to pray together for peace in Gaza and during the month of June, parishes are asked to express solidarity with Gaza. The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference added that 'it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war' in Gaza, where adequate aid is being denied. It noted that more than 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced since 7 October, 2023 and said that the 'evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homeland'. 'It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel,' said the Bishops' Conference. It also described what is happening in Gaza and also the West Bank as 'unconscionable and disproportionate'. 'It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity,' said the Bishops' Conference. It called for the international community to 'intervene' and to cut off arms supplies to Israel. The Bishops' Conference said such a move will require 'courage' from international leaders and added: 'Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.' Advertisement The Bishops added that people in parishes across Ireland are 'horrified by what they are witnessing' and many feel helpless. They called on parishioners to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid, and also to pray for an end to the conflict, including the return of all hostages and prisoners. The Bishops' Conference also recalled a message delivered from Pope Leo XIV during a recent general audience at the Vatican where he renewed a call for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and 'full respect for humanitarian law'. 'In the Gaza Strip, the cry of mothers, of fathers who clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing, rises ever more intensely to the sky,' said Pope Leo. The Church and Palestine In 2015, the Vatican formally recognised the State of Palestine. Israel warned at the time that the move would have 'implications for future cooperation between Israel and the Vatican' and described it as a 'hasty step' that 'damages the prospects for advancing a peace agreement'. Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis described some of Israel's actions in Gaza as 'terrorism' in his memoir released in January. Francis daily called the Holy Family Church in Gaza and warned that the Church complex had 'become a theatre of death'. And in his final months, the late pope gave his blessing for a popemobile that had been used for a papal journey to the Middle East in 2014 to be converted into a health clinic for Gaza children. Popemobile being readied for its new use as a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza However, the aid blockade has meant the transformed vehicle has not yet been allowed access to Gaza. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Irish bishops accuse Israeli government of ‘genocidal actions' in Gaza
The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be 'cut off' and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians. It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians. 'In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced,' it said. 'The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland. 'It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.' Israel's 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over. A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence. 'What is happening in Gaza – and the West Bank – is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children,' the Irish bishops said. 'This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.' The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end. It added: 'There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end. 'This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.' The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip 'clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing'. 'I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.' Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023. The militants still hold 55 hostages — less than half of them believed to be alive — after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Irish bishops accuse Israeli government of ‘genocidal actions' in Gaza
Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of 'genocidal actions' and 'ethnic cleansing' in the Gaza Strip. The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be 'cut off' and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians. It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians. What is happening in Gaza – and the West Bank – is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children 'In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced,' it said. 'The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland. 'It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.' Israel's 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over. A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence. There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end 'What is happening in Gaza – and the West Bank – is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children,' the Irish bishops said. 'This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.' The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end. It added: 'There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end. 'This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.' The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip 'clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing'. 'I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.' Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023. The militants still hold 55 hostages — less than half of them believed to be alive — after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals. Read More Why is it so difficult to discuss genocide?
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish archbishop calls for prayer as Conclave meets to select new Pope
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin has called Ireland's faithful to prayer ahead of the Conclave's first meeting to select a new Pope tomorrow. A delegation of 133 cardinal-electors are due to descend on the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, as speculation mounts over who could succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the Catholic Church. Francis, who spent his final months suffering from pneumonia and existing lung conditions, died of a stroke on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis' funeral was attended by many high-profile world leaders (Photo by) In a statement from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Martin asked Irish Catholics to pray to the Holy Ghost as cardinals begin the long process of prayer and discernment to decide a successor, which can often last for extended periods of time. "I ask you, as the conclave begins tomorrow, to join me in prayer," said Martin, who has served as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland since 2014. "O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care." The conclave meets - who could be the next pope? Pietro Parolin could be the next pope (Image: Wednesday's meeting of the conclave will be the first since 2013, when then-Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly resigned in light of advancing age. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected on the fifth ballot, ascending to the papacy as the first pontiff from Latin America, as well as the first from the Jesuit Order. His potential successors include Vatican secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who also served as Francis' chief advisor throughout his reign. His conservative views clashed with Francis' more liberal approach at times - Parolin made headlines in 2015, decrying the vote to allow same-sex marriage in Ireland as "a defeat for humanity." Other frontrunners for the papacy include Maltese cardinal Mario Grech, who like Francis softened his stance on social issues over time. Meanwhile, Congolese cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu - who has pledged to work more closely with Islamic and Protestant leaders - could become the Church's first African leader for nearly 1,500 years. The process of selecting a new pope is notoriously secretive - each cardinal, as well as the Vatican's medical and dining staff - are sworn to absolute secrecy, and the chapel is swept for listening and recording devices. Those entering the conclave must hand over all electronics to Vatican police - anyone who fails to comply risks excommunication from the Church. White smoke from the chapel's chimney indicates a new Pope has been chosen (Image: AFP/Getty Images) Once a new pope is selected, all ballots cast are burnt at the end of voting, along with a chemical compound to turn the thick smoke a white colour. Bells are rung, before the new pope emerges overlooking St. Peter's Square to give his first blessing. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
