Website launched in memory of slain priest in Iraq

Baghdad, Iraq, Oct 12, 2007 / 09:03 am

Father Rayan Atto, pastor of the Chaldean Catholic parish of Mar Qardagh in Erbil, announced this week a new website has been launched in memory of Father Ragheed Ganni, a Chaldean priest who, together with three deacons, was brutally killed in Iraq last June together by Muslim extremists.

According to the website Baghdadhope, the initiative has the support of Bishop Faraj Rahho of Mosul.  “It will be a website dedicated to collecting the written memories of those who knew Father Ganni while he was alive, those who walked with him spiritually or those remember him and want to share them with those who loved him,” Father Atto said.

He explained that the content for the site would come from material that “underscores the character of Father Ganni, his communion with God and His sons and daughters.  The memories that people have of him as a man, a seminarian and a priest.”

“The world needs to know the story of Father Ganni through the website and the book that will be published with information from site,” he continued.

Likewise, Father Atto explained that those who wish to can send the information they have on Father Ganni either in “Arabic, English or Italian,” as the book, “which will be published by the Chaldean Church in Mar Qardagh, will be in English and Italian, and a translation will also be made into Arabic.”

Anyone who has pictures of Father Ganni can also send them to the webmaster.  More information can be found at: http://www.baghdadhope.blogspot.com/