Martyrs Even Today: Fr. Ragheed Ganni (1972-2007) Killed "In Odium Fidei"

Google his name.

Father Ragheed was a friend of ours from Rome who was killed by jihadist Muslims in Iraq on June 3, 2007 (Trinity Sunday).

Father Ragheed was Chaldean rite, thirty-five years old and pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit in the Nur district of Mosul, Iraq.  He loved the priesthood and loved being a Catholic priest, in Iraq.

He was killed along with his three subdeacons: Basman Yousef Daud, Gassan Isam Bidawed and Wahid Hanna Isho.  They were forced out of their automobile in front of thir church after Sunday services; shot dead after celebrating Divine Liturgy on June 3, 2007.

Subdeacon Gassan Isam Bidawed's wife was also pulled from the car, was separated from the clergy and made to watch the murders.

Father Ganni's life had been previously threatened by the terrorists and the Church of the Holy Spirit had been attacked several times and even bombed on May 27, 2007.  Just a week before he died Fr. Ganni warned: "We are on the verge of collapse."  In reference to St. Paul (2 Cor. 12.10), Fr. Ganni said: "The strength that comes from God cannot be explained."  On the day of his ordination Fr. Ganni shared: "Today, I have died to self."

Pope Benedict XVI commended their souls "to the infinite mercy of God, our loving Father" and thanked them for their "selfless witness to the Gospel."  The Synod of Chaldean Bishops "asked the Lord to grant mercy to the souls of these martyrs."

Born: January 20, 1972
Ordained: October 12, 2001
Studied in Rome: 1996-2003
Died: June 3, 2007