Israeli Jesuit to share a Church view on Gaza war

Jesuit Fr. David Neuhaus, himself an Israeli citizen, is hosting a webinar to inform Catholics about the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza which comes on the heals of the broken down ceasefire talks between the parties.

The March 4 webinar will see Neuhaus share his first-hand experience living out his faith in the Holy Land. Born to Jewish parents of German origin in South Africa, he moved to Jerusalem close to 45 years ago where he came to the Catholic faith and was baptized. As an Israeli he has seen almost constant conflict, including the current war, in the Holy Land.

Neuhaus has lectured at multiple institutions in the area over the past 25 years. His principal job is at the diocesan seminary in Beit Jala, in the West Bank.

The webinar follows a Jan. 11 event tthat dealt with the newest round of war between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed upwards of 1,200 Israelis.

“From the questions at the end of my presentation (in January) it was clear that many wanted to know more about the position of the Church on these issues and how this position had evolved,” Neuhaus said.

The title of the webinar is “What Does The Catholic Church Have To Say About The Conflict in Israel/Palestine?” The main message Neuhaus looks to provide is how the Church views the ongoing dispute, and how does it impact the Catholic community?

“My perspective is, of course, framed by the fact that I am a Catholic priest and an Israeli citizen who’s deeply engaged with decades working within the local Church in Israel/Palestine as an active member of the Justice and Peace Commission, to promote justice (meaning freedom and equality) and peace in the area,” Neuhaus said.

Due to the historical context surrounding Catholicism’s involvement, whether it be direct or indirect, the more opportunities for Catholics to better understand the role of the Church in this lens, the better.

“I hope to describe with clarity how the Church sees her role in the ongoing conflict. This should be of interest to Catholics who are challenged by what they hear about the conflict in the press,” he said.

“Catholics, whether they are aware or not, are deeply implicated in the conflict. They can choose to be educated and develop a discourse that is responsible and positive or they can remain ignorant and unknowingly contribute to the structures of injustice that perpetuate the conflict.”

He also spoke about a “complex position” he believes the Catholic Church has taken into account regarding the war that “might be of interest to all people, not only Catholics, who are seeking to understand what they might do to promote a better future for Israel/Palestine and the whole region.”

“Many Catholics have Jewish and/or Muslim neighbours who feel deeply involved in the happenings in Israel/Palestine and how we speak about the conflict will influence these relationships. The values of justice and peace are central to our identity as Catholics and we should become more aware of what these values mean in a part of the world which is so influenced by what goes on in the countries in which we live.”