Irish Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza – Sunday, 24 August 2025

An Invitation to Prayer from the Archdiocese of Armagh

On Sunday, 24 August parishes across Ireland are invited to unite once more in a Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza. 

Ten weeks ago, the Catholic Bishops of Ireland called for the month of June to be a time of prayer and solidarity with the suffering people of Gaza. Heartbreakingly, since then, the situation has deteriorated further. Innocent lives continue to be lost, many of them children and families while hunger, violence and devastation tighten their grip on a people caught in the crossfire.

In his most recent pastoral letter, Archbishop Eamon echoes the urgent appeals of Pope Leo XIV, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Heads of Churches in the Holy Land for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and respect for international humanitarian law. As Pope Leo reminds us, “Every human being has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God Himself.”

The Irish Bishops have condemned, in the strongest terms, the genocidal acts being carried out with the sanction of the Israeli government, actions that have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. Such disproportionate violence is described as “unconscionable… and immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively.”

The ongoing suffering of hostages held by Hamas and the cruel withholding of their remains from their families is also acknowledged and unequivocally condemned.

In the face of such darkness, this call to prayer is a call to hope.

Link to article on Armagh Archdiocese website:

https://www.armagharchdiocese.org/day-of-prayer-and-reflection-for-gaza-sunday-24-august-2025

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