Pope and Cardinal condemn attack on civilians at Holy Family Church in Gaza

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says a mother and daughter were killed inside the Holy Family Church complex in Gaza on Saturday by sniper fire.

It is the only Catholic church in the Gaza strip, a place of refuge for people sheltering from the war and the site of a convent where 54 disabled people are cared for.

In a statement, the Patriarchate says “Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sister’s Convent.

The Pope said the attack was terrorism, with unarmed civilians the objects of bombings and shootings. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has issued a statement saying it seems to be “a deliberate and callous killing by IDF soldiers of innocent civilians: an elderly woman and her daughter in the grounds of a church.

This killing has to stop. It can never be justified”.

The Israeli Defence Force is quoted saying it denies the attacks took place.