Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and a Jesuit, called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas Oct. 29.
“We say ‘ceasefire, ceasefire.’ Brothers and sisters, stop! War is always a defeat, always,” Pope Francis said in his weekly blessing in Vatican City, as reported in an article by the Reuters News Service.
He repeated this call Nov. 5, “I beg you to stop in the name of God. Cease fire!” Pope Francis said, as reported in an article from the America Magazine – The Jesuit Review. He emphasized his call for a ceasefire when he addressed over 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.
His sentiments reflect the need to have these conversations, especially since the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas is felt worldwide.
St. Joe’s takes great pride in upholding and advocating for authentic Jesuit ideals, such as “dignity of the human person” and “promotion of peace and life.” St. Joe’s President, Cheryl A. McConnell, Ph.D., wrote in an Oct. 12 email to the St. Joe’s community, “…as the leader of our Jesuit, Catholic University, I feel compelled to make a clear statement about the horrific and deep terror inflicted upon innocent Israelis in the initial weekend attack, a terror whose effects are still unfolding. War is now devastating innocent Palestinians.”
It has been three weeks since the email, and there hasn’t been a follow-up from the university. At least 10,000 Palestinians – including at least 4,000 children — have been killed by Israeli forces as of Nov. 6.
The hostages taken by Hamas have still not been released. Thousands of Palestinians are still being held in Israeli prisons.
The situation in the occupied territories is getting worse with each passing day. It is absolutely essential that we educate ourselves about what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and to listen closely to the people who are directly impacted by the violence. This will grant us a deeper understanding of what some are calling an ongoing genocide.
We, as members of the St. Joe’s community should listen, learn and thoroughly educate ourselves. We should uphold and live our Jesuit ideals at St. Joe’s. But we can begin by amplifying Pope Francis’ calls for a ceasefire.
As President McConnell wrote in her Oct. 12 email, “There is never justification for murder, terror or genocide anywhere in the world.”
And we should continue to, as McConnell encouraged, “Check in on one another, especially those who may have family and friends in the region, or anyone who may simply be overwhelmed by the ongoing scenes of violence.”
