The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has described the war in Gaza as emblematic of failure by the international community to prevent the escalation of conflict and protect civilians.
In his New Year message, Archbishop Eamon Martin said he was conscious that people who had expressed similar views were accused of anti-semitism.
Reiterating his abhorrence to the violations of Hamas and other Islamist militant groups against the people of Israel, he expressed support for Israelis to live in peace and security.
However, Archbishop Martin said this “right” had to be achieved in the context of “a just peace”, where the legitimate rights of Palestinians were also protected in line with international law.
The Archbishop referenced Pope Francis’ Christmas Day urbi et orbi message, following the opening of the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
The Pontiff called on all peoples and nations, to find the courage to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions.
The Catholic Primate highlighted the estimated trillions of US dollars spent on armaments and military resources in recent years.
“Such expenditure cannot be reconciled with our Christian commitment to reconciliation and peace, or with the beliefs of any of the world’s major faiths and religions, or with secular principles of the common good and the flourishing of humanity,” he said.
He echoed Pope Francis’ prayer calling for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and for aid to be given provided to those “worn out” by hunger and by war.
