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Gaza’s Only Catholic School Reopens Amid Ongoing Crisis
Confirmed
In Short: Gaza's only Catholic school, Holy Family School, has reopened after a three-year closure, serving 1,000 pupils including 130 Christians, bringing a sense of normality to a region devastated by conflict.
Gaza's only Catholic school, Holy Family School, has reopened its doors after a three-year closure, providing education to around 1,000 pupils, including 130 Christians, according to Fr Romanelli from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The school, attached to the Gaza’s only Roman Catholic Church, is a sign of hope in a region where destruction is prevalent and the death toll has risen to 73,789.
Fr Romanelli, speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, emphasized the importance of the school in providing a safe and clean environment for children who have endured much trauma. 'In the past, we never had psycho-social support on the school programme – now that will be an important part of what we do with the children and the teachers,' he said, highlighting the school's commitment to addressing the psychological needs of its students.
The reopening of the school is significant as it marks the first time all Christian students in Gaza will attend the same institution, fostering a strong sense of community and showing the Church's continued support for the local population. 'This creates a strong sense of community and shows that the Church remains close to them, accompanying them in the midst of all they are going through,' Fr Romanelli added.
The school, which has been working hard to provide a clean and safe environment, is a beacon of hope for the students and their families. 'There is almost nowhere in Gaza that has not been destroyed, destruction is all around – but we have worked hard to make the school a clean environment, where the children – who have been through so much – can feel safe,' Fr Romanelli said, expressing his hope that the reopening will bring some sense of normality to the students and their families.
What's confirmed
- Gaza's only Catholic school, Holy Family School, has reopened its doors after a three-year closure, providing education to around 1,000 pupils, including 130 Christians, according to Fr Romanelli from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The school, attached to the Gaza’s only Roman Catholic Church, is a sign of hope in a region where destruction is prevalent and the death toll has risen to 73,789.
- Fr Romanelli, speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, emphasized the importance of the school in providing a safe and clean environment for children who have endured much trauma. 'In the past, we never had psycho-social support on the school programme – now that will be an important part of what we do with the children and the teachers,' he said, highlighting the school's commitment to addressing the psychological needs of its students.
- The reopening of the school is significant as it marks the first time all Christian students in Gaza will attend the same institution, fostering a strong sense of community and showing the Church's continued support for the local population. 'This creates a strong sense of community and shows that the Church remains close to them, accompanying them in the midst of all they are going through,' Fr Romanelli added.
- The school, which has been working hard to provide a clean and safe environment, is a beacon of hope for the students and their families. 'There is almost nowhere in Gaza that has not been destroyed, destruction is all around – but we have worked hard to make the school a clean environment, where the children – who have been through so much – can feel safe,' Fr Romanelli said, expressing his hope that the reopening will bring some sense of normality to the students and their families.
What's still developing
- George Akroush, Director of the Project Development Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told ACN that around 130 Christian pupils will study at Holy Family School, making up approximately 13 percent of the student body.
- Up to now, more than 450 people had been living in the school seeking shelter from the Israeli bombardment that followed the Hamas attacks.
- The war has changed everything in Gaza, Fr Romanelli told the delegation, and people remain deeply affected.
- “For me the school is a light in the darkness, it means a lot to people – when they see the 1,000 students coming in their uniforms to the school it shows them that there is a future,” he said.