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Lough Derg News
Fr. Ragheed Ganni
20 Jun 2007
Ragheed Ganni was born in Mosul in 1972. After graduating in Civil Engineering from the local university, he worked in Iraq for a number of years before answering the call to priesthood. With sponsorship from Clogher Diocese he studied theology from 1996 to 2003 at the Irish College and the Pontifical University of Thomas Aquinas, the “Angelicum”, where he received a licence in Ecumenical Theology.
In 2003 on finishing his studies in Rome, he decided to return to his country: “that is where I belong, that is my place” Ragheed said.
“Without Sunday, without the Eucharist, the Christians in Iraq cannot survive”. “Christ challenged evil with his infinite love, he keeps us united and through the Eucharist he gifts us life, which the terrorists are trying to take away”. (Fr. Ragheed)
After celebrating Sunday Mass in the church of the Holy Spirit, Mosul, on Sunday 3rd June, Fr. Ragheed (pictured above)and his three aides were leaving by car, accompanied by the wife of one of the sub-deacons. The three had insisted on accompanying Fr. Ragheed to protect him. (“They were young men alive with faith, who accompanied their parish priest’s every move, risking their lives for their belief in Christ”, their friends said.) Suddenly, at the corner of the road, their car was blocked by unknown armed men who ordered the woman to distance herself from the others and then, in cold blood, shot the remaining passengers, repeatedly. The terrorists then booby-trapped the car with explosives with the aim of further carnage, should anyone go near the car to recover the bodies. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the bodies remained, abandoned on the city street, because no one dared to approach. It was only towards 10.00pm (local time) that security forces finally defused the explosives, allowing the corpses to be recovered.
“The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the senseless killing of Fr. Ragheed Aziz Ganni and sub-deacons Basman Yousef Daoud, Ghasan Bidawid and Wadid Hanna, and asked that his heartfelt condolences be conveyed to their families. He wished to be joined to the Christian community in Mosul in commending their souls to the infinite mercy of God our loving Father and in giving thanks for their selfless witness to the Gospel. He said he prayed that their costly sacrifice would inspire in the hearts of all men and women of good will a renewed resolve to reject the ways of hatred and violence, to conquer evil with good and to cooperate in hastening the dawn of reconciliation, justice and peace in Iraq. To the families and to all who mourn their dead in faith and in the hope which draws its certainty from the resurrection His Holiness cordially imparted his apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord."
A telegram sent in the Pope’s name by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. to Archbishop Faraj Rahho of Mosul.
“A horrible crime against God and humanity, may these martyrs find eternal rest” (Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly and the Chaldean Bishops)
“He had great courage, united with a loving calm. He was a spiritual man, loved by his people, Catholic and Muslim” (Mgr. Rabban al Qas, bishop of Amadiyah and Erbil)
Fr. Ragheed’s funeral took place at 3.00pm (local time) on Monday 4th June in Karamles, his home town. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Mgr. Faraj Rahho, bishop of Mosul.
Ragheed will be sadly missed by all his friends at Lough Derg, and by the many pilgrims who had the joy of meeting and getting to know him.
Requiescat in pace
Monsignor Richard Mohan
Prior
A Day of Remembrance
Signing of Condolence Book
On Sunday 30th September, a day of prayer was held on the island in memory of Ragheed. Those who knew him were invited to share their memories of Ragheed and to pray for persecuted Christians in Iraq and other parts of the world. The day culminated with Mass held in Davog House.
The Order of Service for the day is available in pdf format below.
Order of Service - 30th September 2007
