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The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, has called for "fervent prayer" to bring an end to the ongoing violence in the Holy Land. This call comes as the conflict between Israel and Hamas approaches its first anniversary, with fears of it expanding into a broader regional conflict.
In a letter dated October 2 and released on October 3, Archbishop Broglio emphasized the teachings of hope within the Catholic faith, stating, "As you know, our Catholic faith teaches us to hope even amidst the darkest of circumstances, for Christ is risen from the dead."
Archbishop Broglio highlighted that October 7 marks one year since Hamas' attack on Israel in 2023. During this assault, militants from Gaza entered approximately 22 locations in Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths—mostly civilians—and more than 240 hostages being taken.
"The trauma of that day—the deadliest for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—continues for Israelis and for the Jewish community worldwide," he said. He also mentioned that antisemitic incidents have increased globally.
Citing statistics from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, Archbishop Broglio noted that "over 40,000 people, the majority of whom are civilians," have been killed in Gaza during Israel's war against Hamas. He also pointed out rising attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and increased anti-Muslim incidents both in the U.S. and abroad.
The conflict has extended into Lebanon with intensified clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. Archbishop Broglio expressed sorrow over "the terrible loss of life in Israel and in Gaza," as well as hate crimes elsewhere.
"Compassion is not a zero-sum game," he stated. "We hear the cries of lament of all our brothers and sisters—Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims and Christians—all of whom have been traumatized by these events."
He cited similar teachings from Jewish and Islamic traditions about preserving life: “Both Jewish and Islamic tradition teach that ‘whoever destroys a life, it is as if they have destroyed a whole world.’”
Archbishop Broglio acknowledged recent religious observances such as Mawlid al-Nabi by Muslims on September 16 and Rosh Hashanah by Jews beginning on October 2. Despite these celebrations occurring during times of anguish, he expressed hope: “Yet out of death God brings forth a new creation.”
With October 7 approaching amid ongoing trauma, he urged bishops and faithful to show solidarity with Jewish and Muslim communities while combating hatred towards them. He requested setting aside October 7 as a day for fasting, prayer, and penance following Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa's request to Christians in Jerusalem.
This collective prayer effort aims at ending violence in the Holy Land along with ensuring safe returns for hostages while fostering reconciliation through conversion away from hatred.
Gina Christian reports for OSV News; follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @GinaJesseReina.
