BREAKING News Catholic Cardinal Joins Priests from 7 Countries Expanding Global Network of Priests Against Genocide in Gaza and the West Bank
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Drawing on Apartheid History, African Catholic Clergy and Cardinal Join International Network Advocation for and End to Violence in Palestine.
Representing the network Priests Against Genocide – Africa (PAGA), Catholic clergy across seven nations—South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, and Uganda—have released a joint declaration accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide in Gaza. Led in part by South African Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, the coalition draws explicit parallels between the crisis in Palestine and Africa's historical struggles with war, displacement, and systemic oppression.
The "Priests Against Genocide" network is a global coalition of Catholic priests, bishops, and cardinals founded in August 2025 to denounce Israel's military actions in Gaza as genocide. Launched in Italy in August 2025 following a virtual press conference led by figures like Father Pietro Rossini. It has expanded to over 2,200 to 2,700 Catholic clergy members across dozens of countries and five continents, including multiple bishops and cardinals
Reflecting on Nelson Mandela’s 1997 statement that South Africa’s freedom remains incomplete without Palestinian freedom, the signatories point to rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and major human rights organizations that classify Israeli policies as apartheid.
Because genocide must be stopped rather than mourned after the fact, they call for:1. an immediate end to the genocidal policies and actions in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, with full humanitarian access and protection for civilians, medical personnel, aid workers and journalists;
2. an end to forced displacement and to the destruction of conditions necessary for civilian life in the Holy Land;
3. full cooperation with international judicial and investigative mechanisms;
4. suspension of weapons and technologies at serious risk of use in grave violations of international law, and scrutiny by African governments of the surveillance, AI and military technologies they purchase;
5. ethical scrutiny by Christian institutions of investments tied to grave violations of human dignity, and sustained humanitarian, medical and trauma-healing support for those harmed, together with truth, accountability and reparations; and a political future grounded in Palestinian self-determination and in the dignity, freedom, equality and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike.
The statement, rooted in Catholic social teaching and Scripture, clarifies its position on key issues:
Scope of Condemnation: The clergy target the policies of the Israeli government rather than the Jewish faith or people, while explicitly condemning the October 7, 2023 civilian killings and hostage-taking by Hamas.
Core Demands: The group calls for an immediate cessation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, full access for humanitarian aid, an end to forced displacement, and international judicial cooperation.
Global Accountability: They urge a suspension of arms and surveillance tech transfers, ethical investment reviews, financial reparations, and a political framework securing equal rights and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Extending their message home, the clergy urged African governments to uphold international law consistently, demanding equal global attention and accountability for ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Congo, and Cabo Delgado.
Signatories on behalf of Priests Against Genocide - Africa (PAGA)- Cardinal Stephen Brislin (South Africa)
- Fr Kufre Afangide, SPS (Nigeria)
- Fr Matthew Charlesworth, SJ (Zimbabwe)
- Fr Hans-Joachim Lohre, MAfr (France/Mali)
- Fr Bonaventure Mashata, MAfr (South Africa)
- Fr Mokesh Morar (South Africa)
- Abbott Magloire Nkounga Tagne (Cameroon)
- Fr Peter-John Pearson (South Africa)
- Fr Joseph Sene OMI (Senegal)
- Fr John Wababa (Uganda)
Source - https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55707
Image of Cardinal Brislin https://catholicjhb.org.za/
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