00:00Friends, I invite you to join me in a day of prayer and reflection for Gaza on Sunday
00:06the 24th of August.
00:08The people in Gaza are being cruelly crushed by hunger, violence, death and destruction.
00:14Please support Pope Leo's recent appeal for a ceasefire, for the release of all hostages
00:20and full respect for international humanitarian law.
00:24As the Holy Father said, every human being has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God himself.
00:33I know that many of you are deeply troubled by the stark and horrific images from Gaza
00:39of starving children and helpless hungry families.
00:43Getting sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid to them is not only necessary, it's a
00:49matter of life and death.
00:51The deaths of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, is unconscionable
00:58and disproportionate.
01:00It's immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy
01:08for humanity.
01:09The cruel actions of Hamas in continuing to keep hostages and the bodies of hostages away
01:16from their loving families, that's also to be unreservedly condemned.
01:22Please join our 24 hours of prayer and reflection on the 24th of August.
01:28Continue to show solidarity in whatever way you can, by lobbying your political representatives
01:34for example, by supporting humanitarian aid and above all, by continuing to pray for an
01:41end to the conflict and the resumption of peace, including the return of all hostages and prisoners.
01:48Pray also for our Christian brothers and sisters in Gaza and on the West Bank.
01:54As Cardinal Pizzaballa said, Christ is not absent from Gaza, he is there.
02:00He's crucified in the wounded, buried under the rubble and yet present in every act of mercy,
02:06every candle in the darkness, every hand extended to the suffering.
02:11So on Sunday the 24th of August, consider lighting a candle yourself, in your family home or your local parish church.
02:19Attend Mass. Spend time in prayer at home or before the Blessed Sacrament.
02:25Pray the Rosary. Make some small personal penance or sacrifice.
02:30Let the light of hope radiate out from the island of Ireland that day for peace, for Gaza and for the future of its people.
02:39Thank you very much and God bless you.
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