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Rhodes: Franciscan parish helps people 'nobody wants to know'


Source: ATS Pro Terra Sancta

While several European countries have closed their borders to refugees, the small island of Rhodes has accepted many thousands of people fleeing war in the Middle East. The ATS Pro Terra Sancta report on the work of one Franciscan parish priest with refugees and poor local residents.

The first Christian community on Rhodes was founded by St Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles. For that reason, the island of Rhodes was a popular stop for pilgrims from Europe on their way to Jerusalem. The island is still considered part of the Holy Land, with the Latin church there is represented by the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land.

Father John Luke Gregory, whose mission, in addition to being parish priest of the Latin Catholics, is to be at the service of all residents and visitors. There are tourists in the summer, and some members of ship's crews, who ask Fr Gregory to celebrate Mass for them when their ship is in port. But there are also "those that nobody wants to know" - refugees and the poor of the island.

From 2015 to today, the population of Rhodes has grown by about 15,000 people, to a total of 45,000. Of these, one third are refugees. They come via neighbouring Turkey fleeing war. Most are Syrians, but there are also many Iraqis, Iranians, Kurds and some Palestinians from Gaza. Since the emergency began, Fr Gregory helps them by providing food, basic necessities, toys and books for children.

Initially Fr Gregory used to ask tourists to donate food, but today, thanks to support from ATS Pro Terra Sancta, there is now an agreement with a local supermarket that regularly delivers supplies to the centre.

The 'center' is an old slaughterhouse in which about a hundred people live in terrible conditions.

Fr Gregory said many refugees end up being transferred to more structured centres in Athens, waiting for documents. He said: "Above all, there are children, many children without parents, who do not know if they are dead, stuck in Turkey or in their country. "

Some refugees remain in Rhodes, but are moved to different homes on the island. Fr Luke continues to helps them. Every Tuesday his monastery also makes a distribution of food and goods for the poor, drug addicts and prostitutes … 300 people in all! Many of the refugees who are living in public housing now come for the food aid."

Fr Gregory says he serves all people without distinction. He says: "I ask them only 'what do you need?' Not where they come from or what they are doing, because I see Jesus in them all. This is my task, as the Pope always reminds us. But without the support (of donors) I could do not a lot of what I do for these people who have forgotten by everyone. Thank you!"

If you would like to make a donation to the work of Pro Terra Sancta see: https://campaign.proterrasancta.org/support-us/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=donazione-generica-en

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