Parish priest discusses Christian life in Gaza

October 15, 2015

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has published an interview with Father Mario de Silva, the priest of Gaza’s only parish.

“There are about 3,000 Christians in Gaza, who live among 1.8 million Muslims, of whom 130 belong to the Catholic Church and 1,100 belong to the Orthodox Church,” he said. “Most of them are young people.”

“The problem in Gaza is one that exists across the world: extremism,” he added. “Two years ago for example, our church was vandalized: graffiti were written on walls, messages of hatred could be read against those who follow Christ. Graffiti can also be read on walls of streets asking people not to talk to Christians.”

The parish priest also spoke of the practical impossibility of families traveling to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

 

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Further information:

• To be Christian in Gaza: Interview with Fr Mario da Silva (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)