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Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference (CBCEW), has echoed Pope Francis’s urgent appeal for a lasting ceasefire in the Holy Land. Speaking recently, the Cardinal quoted Pope Francis' words to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on 8 January:

"To all the parties involved, I renew my appeal for a cease-fire on every front, including Lebanon, and the immediate liberation of all the hostages held in Gaza. I ask that the Palestinian people receive humanitarian aid and that hospitals, schools and places of worship receive all necessary protection.

“This appeal takes on a fresh urgency at this moment of extreme danger if a ground offensive were to be launched in southern Gaza, in an area densely peopled by those already made homeless by this conflict. It is an appeal being echoed by many at this time, to whose voices I readily add my own.

“Let us pray insistently for relief for those who face multiple dangers, for an immediate cessation of armed conflict and for every serious attempt at a lasting ceasefire to be sustained.”

The Cardinal has called for people across our faith community to offer special prayers for peace in the Holy Land this Friday, 8 March. You can access prayer resources on the CBCEW website.

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Source: Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales