Despite relentless attacks and violence, the life of the Catholic minority in Iraq goes on. This is proven by the presbyteral ordination, Saturday 7 July, of father Ephram Gallyana by mgr. Faraj P. Rahho, bishop of Mosul. The new priest belongs to that diocese but for security reasons the ceremony had to be carried out in Karamles, the same city which on 4 June hosted the funeral of father Ragheed Aziz Ganni and the three sub-deacons murdered with him in Mosul the day before. According to the website Baghdadhope, which relayed the news, in the church of Mar Addai, father Gallyana placed on father Ragheed’s grave a cross of yellow roses with the words: “From your brother, father Ephram Gallyana”, a gesture of affection and respect. Confirmed by the words of the new priest himself: “I will continue father Ragheed’s work”, evidence of the faith and courage with which the young Iraqi priests are readying to face the hard times that await them in an Iraq which is being more and more ravaged by violence.
