Christians4Palestine
Priests Against Genocide
Priest aganst genocide was first formed inLaunch of the network “Priests Against Genocide
Italian priests and bishops unite to demand justice, peace, and truth regarding the tragic situation affecting the Occupied Territories of Palestine.
September 4, 2025 — A group of over 200 priests from Italy and other parts of the world, shaken by the ongoing massacres in Gaza and escalation of violence in surrounding areas, announce the formation of the network “Priests Against Genocide”, a grassroots initiative aimed at gathering voices, experiences, and pastoral commitments to promote peace and the protection of all life, with a particular focus on the Holy Land.
“In the face of the horror of genocide affecting Gaza and the Palestinian people, as pastors we cannot remain silent,” declare the organizers, echoing the words of Pope Francis:
“War is always a defeat, always.”
Goals of the Network
- Peace and Reconciliation: To pray and promote a “disarmed and disarming” peace—as stated by Pope Leo XIV—proclaiming the Gospel of reconciliation and love, even for enemies.
- Protection of Victims and International Legality: To give voice to the voiceless, denounce war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and all forms of genocide in Palestine and elsewhere; to demand respect for international law, UN resolutions, and rulings of the International Criminal Court.
- Christian Presence in the Holy Land: To support Christian communities in Palestine as and maintain a living church, where everyone feels at home.
- Truth and Accountability: To promote a culture of reconciliation rooted in justice, supporting independent investigations into the events of October 7, 2023, and all crimes committed under the Israeli occupation, before and after that date.
Planned Actions
- Public declaration signed by priests and bishops from across Italy and other countries.
- National gathering in Rome for prayer and public testimony.
- Local initiatives: catechesis, prayer vigils, and awareness events in parishes.
- Ecumenical and interreligious collaborations with organizations committed to peace and justice.
“We ask the Lord to give our political representatives the courage not to compromise, the strength to defend every human life, and the wisdom to build a peace founded on justice and truth. May all war cease, because as Saint John Paul II said: War is always a defeat for humanity.”
The Shroud of Remembrance
One of the first international projects organised by PAG is the shroud of remembrance for the 20,000 children martyred in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
A large shroud has been sent to over 50 countries along with the allocated names of over 450 children killed in Gaza Genocide.
Ireland was allocated 450 names that have managed by Fr Pat Colgan, the Ireland Director for PAG.
Fr Pat, alongside Christians4palestine and Gaels Against Genocide have been bringing the shroud to a number of Parishes and Solidarity groups.
The signing of a child's name has provoked a very strong emotional from those who have participated.
Gallery
There were a number of parishes and organisations that contributed to signing the name of a child martyred during the ongoing Genocide in Gaza
- Bangor Peace Group
- Belfast Jesuit Centre
- Christians4palestine
- Gaels against Genocide
- Parishioners of St Agnes Church, Belfast
- Parishioners of St Josephs Church, Belfast
- Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, Belfast
- South Belfast Quakers
Mohammed
Mohammed Suleiman Akram Al-Sardi
The sun never rose on your tenth birthday,
because you were never given one.
You did not live to count in double figures.
Like every child, you carried tomorrow inside you.
Who did you dream of becoming?
A teacher?
A doctor?
A footballer?
Or had you not yet decided,
because childhood should never hurry?
Did you chase a football through dusty streets?
Laugh with your friends until your mother called you home?
What meal made you run home faster?
How many voices filled your family home?
I hope some of those voices are still here
still speaking your name so time cannot erase it.
Yesterday, I wrote your name on a shroud -
a shroud divided into twenty thousand boxes,
each waiting for the name of a child,
so the world cannot say
it did not know.
Twenty thousand names.
Twenty thousand stolen futures.
Twenty thousand living gifts to the world.
Twenty thousand names.
And yours is one of them.
Mohammed Suleiman Akram Al-Sardi -
I want to tell you –
you are not a statistic.
Not a tally.
Not another number
added to a growing count.
You were a child.
And while your name is spoken,
you will remain
far more
than a number.
*Mohammed was from the Deir al-Balah governorate,
in the Gaza Strip, between Gaza City and Khan Younis.
On 8 June 2024, he was killed by Israel's armed forces.
Author - Karen - Christians4palestine
What to do next?
Once you have made the emotional journey of reading Karen's memorial to Mohammed, what next?
There are a number of options for everyone. Every small step makes a difference.
You could
- Learn more about the Palestinian history
- Get involved with a twinning project
- Fund raise for a palestine project
- Join a solidarity group
- Tell others about the group and speak to your local priest.
If you have signed the shroud research the child martyr you noted and remember them, their family and their community in your prayers.
