Source: Independent Catholic News

Around 250,000 campaigners marched peacefully from Portland Place to Downing Street in London on Saturday to appeal for an immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

The Christian Bloc gathered at the church of St Charles Borromeo in Ogle Street for a short service of hymns and prayers for peace, before joining the main march. Participants included Anglican and Catholic clergy and religious and members of many London churches. There were also Jewish and Muslim blocs, representatives from trade unions, doctors and nurses, musicians, disability and community groups, students, teachers and many families.

One Catholic priest from a central London parish told ICN: “It was good to walk in the company of so many fellow Christians In a procession of people who in had one aim – to call for a just peace. We found ourselves walking alongside persons as diverse as our city: families, groups and individuals. All carried themselves with dignity and a sense of purpose. I was glad to have been part of the walk for peace.”

Israel has continued its attacks across the Gaza Strip, including attacking hospitals and refugee shelters in the besieged enclave. As of 5pm yesterday at least 27,365 people have been killed, including more than 11,500 children and 8,000 women. Over 66,630 people are injured and more than 8,000 are missing, according to officials. The situation is particularly critical as there is a desperate shortage of food, water and medical supplies. Most hospitals are no longer functioning.

In the West Bank at least 382 people, including more than 100 children have been killed. Over 4,250 have been injured. In Israel since 7 October about 1,139 people have been killed and at least 8,730 are injured.

There were also large demonstrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and other cities around the world on Saturday.

Speaking in Edinburgh , organiser Mick Napier said: “Israel needs to act on last week’s Order of the World Court, which requires that it take measures to prevent further genocide, and stop preventing aid getting to the two million people of Gaza. The only way that is possible is with an immediate ceasefire, which is what we are calling for.”

On Sunday after the Angelus with pilgrims in the Pope Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis once again expressed his grave concern about the many wars across the globe that are causing so much death, suffering and destruction.

He invited all believers to pray for peace, “for which the world yearns so much and which, today more than ever, is endangered in many places. It is not the responsibility of a few, but of the entire human family. Let us all cooperate to build it with gestures of compassion and courage!”

“Let us continue to pray for the people suffering from war, especially in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel,” he appealed.

See more pictures and videos on ICN’s Facebook page.

On Saturday, 17th February, another ‘day of action’ for Gaza is being planned to take place in dozens of cities and towns around the world. We’ll bring you more details in the news and listings pages when they are announced.

By Khurram Daniel, Westminster Justice and Peace Volunteer

A brief report of Parliamentary Q&A session on the Jaranwala incident with speaker Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, Archbishop of Lahore in Pakistan. The event was organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) at Palace of Westminster, London on Monday 29^th January 2024. 

“The main focus of the event was the Jaranwala atrocity of 16^th August 2023, its aftermath and the plight of Christians across Pakistan.” 

The event was chaired by Lord Alton of Liverpool, with around 60 participants in attendance, including parliamentary and civil society members.

Archbishop Shaw described the situation and shared the recent updates of the incident. He said that this is one of the worst violent mob attacks against Christians in the history of Pakistan, that on a single day more than 25 church buildings were attacked and more than 100 homes belonging to Christians were torched/burnt. Their homes, furniture, and valuables were turned to Ashes, using some lethal chemical which catches instant fire and melts everything down within few seconds.

He also added that the mob was gathered by the announcement broadcasted by a Muslim Cleric over local mosque loudspeaker, after allegations that the Holy Quran was desecrated by the local Christian resident, which instigated and charged the violent Mob to attack the Christian settlements. The violent mob raised slogans in favour of Islamic extremist organisation/political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan and Khatam-e-Nabuwat, demanding the immediate arrest, rather execution of the accused. He said that the sudden gathering of a mob of thousands within a few hours and considering the nature of these attacks, it seemed to be a pre-planned attack.

He further added that among these victims some of the girls had their preparation and things (dowry articles) ready for marriages. The valuables, especially gold, were looted and other things that were bought, e.g. Furniture, electronics, utensils were totally burnt to ashes.

In addition, a special report “Persecuted Yet Again” was also presented at the event, which is produced jointly by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and the National/Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP/CCJP) Pakistan (A Catholic Church organization established in 1985 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan). 

According to a report by the National/Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP/CCJP), out of the estimated 7,000 perpetrators, only about 300 were arrested for vandalism and arson by the end of last October, and at least 100 of them were later released.

All present in the meeting room strongly condemned these violent attacks and demanded the Government of Pakistan to arrest and punish the culprits and take effective measures to protect and safeguard the Christian minorities in Pakistan from such atrocities in future.