By Lavoisier Fernandes –
For the past 22 months, the war in the densely populated Gaza Strip — just 42 kilometres (about 25 miles) long — has dominated headlines worldwide. Since its outbreak on October 7, 2023, the toll has been devastating at least 61,499 Palestinians have been confirmed dead, including 222 from starvation — 101 of them children. Another 153,575 have been injured.
To better understand life amid this relentless conflict, I conducted an exclusive interview through a series of email exchanges with His Grace, Rev. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine.
Born in 1950 in Beit Sahour, a Palestinian town east of Bethlehem, Bishop Shomali was ordained a priest of the Latin Patriarchate at the age of 22 — a unique jurisdiction serving Latin Catholics across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus. Over the past five decades, he has held numerous roles, from rector of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Beit Jala to chancellor of the Patriarchate.
Today, he serves as one of the Latin Patriarchate’s four active auxiliary bishops, leading as General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine — a position he now fulfils under the dark shadow of war.
(This interview has been edited for length and clarity)
The human toll coming out of Gaza is truly horrific, what is your assessment of the current situation?
The human toll in Gaza is truly beyond words. For the people living there, the situation is apocalyptic—it feels like the end of their world. For nearly two years now, they have lived, slept, and breathed violence, fear, and anxiety. Every day brings new trauma, and the suffering is deep and widespread.
The numbers are staggering nearly 60,000 lives lost, including thousands of children, countless displaced families, and widespread malnutrition. The destruction of homes, infrastructure, and even the natural environment has left scars that will last for generations.
Just a few days ago, on August 9, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, where approximately 74,000 people were killed. The comparison is sobering. Gaza is not far from Nagasaki—not only in terms of the number of victims, but also in the long-term impact on the people, the sea, and the land. The trauma, both physical and psychological, will remain for decades.
We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe that demands urgent attention and action. The people of Gaza need not only humanitarian aid, but also a ceasefire and a path to lasting peace. The world must not look away.
What are the immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza that are not being addressed adequately, and how is the Church working to meet those needs in the midst of the violence?
The immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza are the most basic and essential for human survival: food, medicine, clean water, shelter, and safety. These are not luxuries—they are rights, and yet they are tragically out of reach for most of the population.
Children have been without access to schools or universities for nearly two years, depriving an entire generation of education and stability. Hospitals are barely functioning, lacking fuel, electricity, and medical supplies. Many families are living under tents, without any sense of security.
In this dire context, the Church continues to do what it can. We offer spiritual support, humanitarian aid where possible, and a constant presence of prayer and solidarity. Our institutions try to provide food parcels, medical assistance, and pastoral care, but the needs far exceed our capacity.
What has been the Church’s primary response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and how has the situation there shaped the Church’s mission in the Holy Land?
From the beginning of the crisis, we made an appeal for help, and the response from many faithful and organizations around the world was encouraging. Thanks to this support, we were able to send trucks filled with food and essential supplies to the suffering population.
His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa personally visited Gaza twice, despite the risks, to meet with the community, assess their needs, and offer them something they desperately needed: hope His presence was a powerful sign that they are not forgotten, and that the Church stands with them in their pain.
This tragic situation has deeply shaped the Church’s mission in the Holy Land. It has reinforced our commitment to being a voice for the voiceless, a source of comfort for the afflicted, and a bridge for peace and reconciliation. We continue to pray, advocate, and act—trusting that even in the darkest moments, peace may become a reality.
Before his passing, Pope Francis would call daily to check on the Christian community at Gaza’s Holy Family Church — the only Catholic church in the Strip. Recently, that church was bombed, killing and injuring several people who had sought refuge there. In the wake of this tragedy, what are the most pressing challenges the Catholic community in Gaza faces, and in what ways is the Church providing support during this intensified conflict?
The Christian community in Gaza is facing many challenges—both physical and emotional. The recent bombing of Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, which resulted in the death and injury of several people sheltering there, was a devastating blow. This sacred space had become a refuge for many, and its partial destruction has left a sense of insecurity.
Despite the limitations, the Church continues to support the community in three essential ways: spiritually, psychologically, and materially. We remain close to them through prayer and pastoral care, and material help, offering encouragement and accompaniment in their suffering.
We also made sure to inform the world about the last attack on the church. The response was one of widespread sympathy and solidarity. The catholic church is supporting the return of the Israeli hostages to their homes and families. When we talk about peace, it is meant to all, to Palestinians and Israelis alike.
The Holy See has called for peace in the region on numerous occasions, including advocating for a two-state solution. Similarly, Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem has been a strong advocate for peace. In your opinion, what are the most realistic steps that could lead to peace in Gaza, and how can the international community best support these efforts?
The Holy See has consistently called for peace in the region, and the two-state solution remains the only legitimate and widely accepted path forward—supported by nearly all countries, except the United States and Israel. Although it may seem unrealistic in the current climate, it is still the most viable framework for achieving justice, security, and coexistence.
To make this solution possible, a mutually agreed swap of territories between Israel and the future Palestinian state could be considered. There is room for everyone in this Holy Land—Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Jerusalem, in particular, should be a shared city, open to three religions and two peoples, reflecting its sacred significance and universal heritage.
The international community can best support these efforts by:
- Recognizing the urgency of peace and not normalizing prolonged conflict.
- Supporting diplomatic initiatives that prioritize human dignity and mutual recognition.
- Providing humanitarian aid while also advocating for structural solutions.
- Encouraging dialogue and rejecting extremism on all sides.
Peace is not only a political goal—it is a moral imperative. The Church will continue to be a voice for reconciliation and a witness to the possibility of living together in respect and harmony.
As an Auxiliary Bishop in Jerusalem, you are deeply connected with both Palestinians and Israelis. How do you navigate these deeply entrenched divisions in your ministry?
As Auxiliary Bishop, my pastoral responsibility embraces Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, not Israel. However, I am occasionally invited to participate in interreligious meetings, often held via Zoom, and I attend them willingly. These encounters are important opportunities to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and peace.
I am granted a special visa that allows me to live and work from Jerusalem. This visa is essential, as it gives me a certain freedom of movement, without which I could not fulfil my ministry. Yet even with this, circulation is far from easy. Just yesterday, a return trip from Bethlehem took me two hours, when it normally takes only thirty minutes. The closure of checkpoints between Palestinian cities makes movement difficult and unpredictable.
Navigating these divisions requires patience, humility, and a constant commitment to being a bridge between communities. The Church’s mission is to be present to all, especially the suffering, and to witness to the possibility of peace and coexistence—even when the path is narrow and steep.
What role do you believe the international Church community can play in advocating for peace, and how can Catholics worldwide show their solidarity with those suffering in Gaza?
The international Church community has a vital role to play in advocating for peace in Gaza and throughout the Holy Land. One of the most powerful contributions it can make is to press for the implementation of the two-state solution, which remains the only legitimate and widely supported path to a just and lasting peace.
Catholics around the world are already showing deep solidarity with those suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, fand for the families of hostages. Their closeness is expressed through: Prayer and humanitarian support, not only for Gaza but also for needy families across the Holy Land.
This solidarity is deeply felt and appreciated. It reminds us that we are not alone, and that the Body of Christ is truly one—suffering together, hoping together, and working together for peace.
In this Jubilee of Hope, amid the region’s ongoing suffering, loss of life, and widespread destruction, do you see any real hope for peace? What message of hope can the Church offer to those most affected?
Yes, even in the midst of immense suffering and destruction, we do see a ray of hope—because hope comes from God. We believe that prayer is always heard, even if the divine response seems delayed. History teaches us that peace can emerge unexpectedly, as a fruit of persistent prayer and faithful endurance.
After two devastating world wars, Europe saw the birth of the European Union, a remarkable achievement and a blessing that many consider an answer to the prayers of the faithful. Similarly, the fall of the Berlin Wall came at a moment when few expected it—another sign that peace can break through even the hardest walls.
In the Holy Land, our hope is nourished by the solidarity of the Catholic Church worldwide: the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza, the pastoral visits of the Patriarch, the many calls we make to check on the wellbeing of our people—all these are signs of love and communion. The almost daily calls made by Pope Francis over the past two years, and the appeals for peace and release of hostages by Pope Leo, are powerful reminders that the Church never abandons her children.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.