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Heart and Soul: Last Christians of Gaza

Last Christians of Gaza

14/06/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Last Christians of Gaza

A story of hope and faith from Gaza’s only Roman Catholic church.

Aid worker George Antone tells the story of taking shelter in the Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Roman Catholic parish.

George Antone is a member of the only Roman Catholic Church in Gaza, part of a dwindling Christian community whose roots in this area, go back to the 4th Century. When war breaks out in October 2023 he is convinced that staying in Gaza City is the right option - for safety and to continue bearing witness to Jesus in this part of the world. His is the first family to move into the compound of the Holy Family Church and he helps lead the parish through the next months as they suffer deaths of loved ones, near starvation and destruction of their homes. 

Throughout it all, he keeps in contact with BBC Producer Catherine Murray sending her WhatsApp messages from a warzone. Through the messages, Catherine builds up a picture of this community who keep going through prayer, determination and daily contact from Pope Francis himself.  As the war slows down and there is increasing signs of ceasefire, how will George and his community begin to rebuild? 

Producer/presenter: Catherine Murray
Editor: Rajeev Gupta
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno

[Photo Credit: George Antone at the Holy Family Church, Gaza city]

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