Gulu mourns Father John Scalabrini

PIC: Father Scalabrini pictured during an interview with New Vision in June 2015.

By Patience Aber and Kevin Aloyo        
                                           
The Archbishop of Gulu Catholic Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has described Father John Scalabrini of Bbina Church, Mutungo in Kampala, as man of the people.

"He loved the poor and would sacrifice anything to help them.  He helped many poor students in school. He also helped the elderly. As an entrepreneur, he established several schools," remarked Odama.

The Archbishop said Fr. Scalabrini started Awach Catholic Parish in Awach sub-county, Aswa county Gulu district where he served as a parish priest.

Walter Komakech, a businessman and farmer in Gulu, who was a former student of Cipriano Kihangire S.S.S in Luzira, Kampala, said Fr. Scalabrini, will not only be missed by the people of Uganda, but by the world at large.
"He loved orphans and children. We will miss him dearly," he says.
 
Samuel Oduny, a resident of Gulu town, who hails from Awach Parish said Scalabrini had a plan of developing Awach parish into a mission, but his strategy was disrupted by  the  then President Idi Amin's government  who forced him out of Uganda. On his return, Scalabrini relocated to Luzira, Kampala.  

Oduny also hailed Fr. Scalabrini for developing Negri Farm in Gulu Archdiocese and the signing of June 3, 1988  peace deal at Pece Stadium.
 
Dorotia Alur Adong, a resident of Alokolum Kirombe sub ward, Kirombe Gulu Municipality said  Fr. Scalabrini built for her a house and established grinding mill, her source of income.

Susan Adong, a granddaughter to Alur, said Fr. Scalabrini supported her and her siblings through school.

"When my marriage failed, Fr. Scalabrini bailed us out . He took my children under his care, put them in school. He did not want me to suffer," she says.