Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny fasted 30 hours for Gaza. Sant’Egidio read the names of 12,000 Palestinian and 15 Israeli children. The event included candles, prayers, and the Palestinian ambassador’s attendance.
As VRT News reported, Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny, 70 years old, fasted for 30 hours to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. He said the fast was “a small measure of solidarity” but added it cannot compare to the suffering in the region. He explained that the action was meant to raise awareness and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis.
How did Bishop Bonny and Sant’Egidio honour 12,000 children in Gaza?
During the day, members of the Catholic community Sant’Egidio read the names of children who died in the conflict. Hilde Kieboom of the community said 15 children have died in Israel, while in Gaza, more than 12,000 children have lost their lives. The reading of the names was intended to honour the victims.
“So there are more than 12,000 names of children under the age of 12 who have died in the conflict since October 7, 2023,”
Bonny continues.
“Imagine killing 12,000 children in a city like Antwerp?”
Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp
During the 30-hour Lenten event organised by the Catholic community Sant’Egidio, many believers came to light candles, pray, and remember the victims. Hilde Kieboom of the community said the event would end with a joint prayer. The Palestinian ambassador was also scheduled to attend and offer words of thanks.
Johan Bonny was the Bishop of Antwerp in 2009. Before that, he worked for the Vatican, managing relations with Christian communities in the Middle East. He maintained a relationship with churches and local leaders, who would share with him the obstacles Christians faced in conflict zones.
In the past few years, Bonny took to social media in August 2022 to oppose the Israeli military targeting and bombing of the civilian population. Bonny did not stop there but highlighted the repercussions of the violence for humanitarian efforts. While Bishop of Antwerp, Bonny has maintained a relationship with Christians in the region.
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