The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool has condemned the violence in Gaza as "evil", especially where it blocks humanitarian relief.

Archbishop Patrick Kelly, one of a group of high-ranking Catholic bishops visiting the Holy Land, acknowledged the Gaza conflict had deep roots but called for the end of all violence to be a priority.

He is part of a visit this week by the Catholic Church's Holy Land Coordination group, with 10 bishops from Canada, England and Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

Archbishop Kelly said: "Violence is evil especially when it blocks humanitarian relief desperately needed. Because the roots are so deep and complex this outburst of violence cries out for such wise and courageous leadership that justice for all those for whom the Holy Land is home is achieved, so that all violence is relegated to the past and peace shall be secured for generations to come," he said.

Referring to the Catholic parish in Gaza, led by Father Manuel Musallem, Archbishop Kelly said: "The people, religious sisters and parish priest, Father Manuel, need our prayers as they struggle to witness to the gospel of peace.

"I join with the Holy Father and the leaders of the Church in the Holy Land in their prayer for the dead, the injured, the broken hearted, those who mourn and live night and day in fear."

Bishop William Kenney, an auxiliary in Birmingham, who is also among the group, said from Bethlehem on Sunday: "Despite all the violence, suffering and seemingly insurmountable problems in Gaza at the present time there is a wonderful spirit of hope among students at Bethlehem University.

"There is a great sense of sadness as well as anger among most of the Palestinians we have met at what is happening in Gaza."

The Holy Land Co-ordination was set up in Jerusalem in October 1998 at the request of the Holy See. One of its main aims is to encourage Christians to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The Latin Patriarch, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, also condemned the violence.

Preaching at the end of the Christian schoolchildren's procession through Bethlehem to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas yesterday (sun), he said: "Violence, no matter where it comes from or whatever form it takes, must be condemned."

He continued: "The birth of the child Jesus in the lowly stable of Bethlehem, so weak and undefended, leads us naturally to think of the situation in Gaza, where over the past two weeks we have witnessed a renewed outbreak of violence. This violence has caused a huge loss of life and destruction of homes, schools and institutions, wreaking immense damage and bringing terrible suffering for the civilian population, especially to many innocent children.

"Violence tempts us because it seems as if it might resolve our problems. This is a false hope. This outbreak of violence brings nothing but complications in the quest for a just settlement to the conflict, which is fervently sought by people across this land and indeed across the world."