An oasis of peace and reception in Iraq, continuosly hit by sectarian violence and terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda. It may seem a contradiction but the testimony offered by the Oasis of charity and joy in Mosul, the house for young disabled people founded on August 28, 1986, by Mgr. Faraj Paulos Rahho, archbishop of the city, by then parish priest, who was abducted on February 29 this year and found dead on March 13, is strong. His tragic death did not stop his work that gathers hundreds of young people and adults, throughout Iraq, for the reception and care of children and youth with disabilities. The legacy of Mgr. Rahho, in fact, is now coordinated by the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad, Mgr. Shlemon Warduni and by Mr.Imad Azid.
A special encounter. "Imad Azid - told to SIR Mgr. Warduni - in 1986 was an Iraqi soldier during the war against Iran. Just back from the battle front he met in Mosul a young disabled who showed him his affection and kindness. Struck by this encounter Azid told about it to the late Mgr. Rahho, by then parish priest in the Church of St. Paul, who began to try to alleviate the miserable conditions of these disabled children and young people in particular." "The beginnings – says the bishop - were not easy, partly because the volunteers who, with Mgr. Rahho, immediately devoted themselves to these people, had to face the stand of the families of the disabled persons who, according to the local culture background, were considered as a shame to keep hidden at home. Some were even regarded as a divine punishment and many were left alone in the houses, bequests and unable to speak or walk".
Difficult start but great joys. "The first thing to do - continues Mgr. Warduni - was to approach the families of children and young people and overcome their stand. The distrust in the operators who tried to get in touch with their children slowly decreased, especially when they realized that their children were welcomed, loved, cared for, educated. Progresses were and are so remarkable that some boy returned to live with his family."
A special encounter. "Imad Azid - told to SIR Mgr. Warduni - in 1986 was an Iraqi soldier during the war against Iran. Just back from the battle front he met in Mosul a young disabled who showed him his affection and kindness. Struck by this encounter Azid told about it to the late Mgr. Rahho, by then parish priest in the Church of St. Paul, who began to try to alleviate the miserable conditions of these disabled children and young people in particular." "The beginnings – says the bishop - were not easy, partly because the volunteers who, with Mgr. Rahho, immediately devoted themselves to these people, had to face the stand of the families of the disabled persons who, according to the local culture background, were considered as a shame to keep hidden at home. Some were even regarded as a divine punishment and many were left alone in the houses, bequests and unable to speak or walk".
Difficult start but great joys. "The first thing to do - continues Mgr. Warduni - was to approach the families of children and young people and overcome their stand. The distrust in the operators who tried to get in touch with their children slowly decreased, especially when they realized that their children were welcomed, loved, cared for, educated. Progresses were and are so remarkable that some boy returned to live with his family."
"One of the greatest joys - says with satisfaction Mgr. Warduni - was to listen to some parents say that they had rediscovered in their disabled child a person, and therefore a renewed feeling of parenthood. The refusal of the son was replaced by the feeling of reception and above all love." "This commitment originated the Fraternity of charity and joy that is divided into four sectors: volunteers, spiritual assistences, young disabled, called brothers, and their parents. Together with the brotherhood the first house to accommodate the disabled persons, The oasis of charity and joy,was created in Mosul."
A model to follow. In this work Mgr. Rahho was inspired by the community "L'Arche" by Jean Vanier who, reveals the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad, "about 15 years ago came to Iraq to understand and know what had been done in Mosul. To Mgr. Rahho the disabled person was a gift of God to make us remember those who need us, to work with disabled brothers was a way to discover the true and deep sense of humanity. The memory of his young 'brothers' shines through in all its tenderness in some lines of his will: From you I learned what is love, you taught me how to love."
The commitment continues. "The death of Mgr. Rahho did not stop us, it has rather confirmed the value of his work and his intuition," says Mgr. Warduni. "The Church did always all it could for the oasis, opened as it is to the reception of all disabled of the Iraqi Christian families, Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic. Anyone who wants can bring here his suffering relatives. It is a tangible sign of the ecumenical path in Iraq. Three weeks ago we had a party in Baghdad in the presence of the Patriarch Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, that was attended by over 300 people among volunteers, assistants, disabled brothers and their parents. Before this meeting we had in the capital a two-day training for volunteers and the same happened in Mosul for 115 people. Every month we have a meeting of training for our workers who work for free. We offer them a refund on lodging and transportation. Providence so far made us miss anything, thanks also to many benefactors. Today in the Oasis of Mosul and in the north there are 16 groups of workers, the disabled brothers assisted are 175, and the volunteers 170; in the south and in the centre 60 disabled persons are assisted by 85 volunteers and 11 groups of workers. We have set up two small factories where our disabled brothers make plaster statues and objects. In the Oasis they attend school lessons and undergo rehabilitative therapies."
A model to follow. In this work Mgr. Rahho was inspired by the community "L'Arche" by Jean Vanier who, reveals the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad, "about 15 years ago came to Iraq to understand and know what had been done in Mosul. To Mgr. Rahho the disabled person was a gift of God to make us remember those who need us, to work with disabled brothers was a way to discover the true and deep sense of humanity. The memory of his young 'brothers' shines through in all its tenderness in some lines of his will: From you I learned what is love, you taught me how to love."
The commitment continues. "The death of Mgr. Rahho did not stop us, it has rather confirmed the value of his work and his intuition," says Mgr. Warduni. "The Church did always all it could for the oasis, opened as it is to the reception of all disabled of the Iraqi Christian families, Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic. Anyone who wants can bring here his suffering relatives. It is a tangible sign of the ecumenical path in Iraq. Three weeks ago we had a party in Baghdad in the presence of the Patriarch Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, that was attended by over 300 people among volunteers, assistants, disabled brothers and their parents. Before this meeting we had in the capital a two-day training for volunteers and the same happened in Mosul for 115 people. Every month we have a meeting of training for our workers who work for free. We offer them a refund on lodging and transportation. Providence so far made us miss anything, thanks also to many benefactors. Today in the Oasis of Mosul and in the north there are 16 groups of workers, the disabled brothers assisted are 175, and the volunteers 170; in the south and in the centre 60 disabled persons are assisted by 85 volunteers and 11 groups of workers. We have set up two small factories where our disabled brothers make plaster statues and objects. In the Oasis they attend school lessons and undergo rehabilitative therapies."