“As I write, collections are being taken up in Catholic parishes all over the country to help rebuild Gaza,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote in his August 15 First Things editorial, “Restoring Holy Family Church: A Bridge of Faith Amid War.”

His reflection on the ongoing Israel-Hamas War and the July 17 bombing that struck Holy Family Church — the only Catholic parish in Gaza — underscored the immense suffering of Christians there, their remarkable resilience, and the united efforts of both Christian and non-Christian groups to offer support. 

Cardinal Dolan highlighted the destruction of once‑soothing sanctuaries like Brotherhood Park, the Arab Orthodox Cultural Center, the Al‑Ahli Arab Hospital (Gaza’s sole Christian medical facility), even churches themselves, demonstrating that “no oases remain in Gaza.” 

He honored the extraordinary humanitarian witness of Gaza’s small Christian community, Catholic and Orthodox. Though few in number, he praised their efforts to provide food, healing, shelter, and support to all in need, regardless of faith or background, describing them as “imbued with the gospel and inspired by the words and works of Jesus, the saints, and martyrs.” 

Cardinal Dolan also recalled the words spoken by Pope Leo XIV upon his election, “Peace be with you,” who described that peace as “unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.”  

To bring about a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land, Cardinal Dolan offered the words of Pope Leo once more who said that we must be, “a Church that builds bridges and encourages dialogue, a Church ever open to welcoming, like this square with its open arms, all those who are in need of our charity, our presence, our readiness to dialogue and our love.” 

Read Cardinal Dolan’s full editorial in First Things here.