Fr. John Scalabrini, a father to the wife of Jose Chamelone’s wife, Daniella Atim, is reported dead following a long battle with cancer.
This website understands Fr. Scalabrini was pronounced dead this morning.
About Father John Scalabrini
Father John Scalabrini, for all Father John, born in 1934, is an Italian missionary born in Limido Comasco who lives and works in Uganda since 1964 and with the Ugandans suffered and shared the tragic history of this country.
He lived for about thirty years in northern Uganda, among the people of Acholi tribe : he built schools in the villages, has taught people to cultivate maize and installed to get the flour mills.
In 1969 he became in effect a priest African, at the behest of his bishop Cyprian Kihangire, which years later would dedicate our schools in Kampala.
Father John has believed from the beginning in the importance of the school as an instrument of growth, for the cultural and social development of the country: built kindergartens, schools and colleges, has always supported in studies needy children, especially orphans.
This effort cost him dearly: he was expelled twice from Uganda by dictator Amin in 1975 and the current President Museveni of Uganda in 1988. The indictment was the same in both cases: to contribute, with education, to enhance future opponents of the regime.
Back in Uganda Father John has established its mission in the capital Kampala, to Luzira, a suburb and poor. And there he started over his work.
Since 1989 he built in his mission a high school with college, a primary school, two kindergartens, a carpentry shop, a carpentry and other laboratories to give employment to the local people, a hospital, several churches, a school for orphans.
In its mission has always been home to orphaned girls who otherwise would live in the middle of a road.
Since 2000 ITALY UGANDA Onlus is at his side in all its initiatives in favor of the people of Uganda.
Together we send every day to thousands of school children and distribute them a hot, nutritious meal. Together we take care of the sick poor. Together we help people living a present of great difficulty to build a better future.
Every day Father John welcomes in its mission dozens of people in need and, just like a father, gives them listening and comfort. And, 80 years old, continues to do projects: think about the tomorrow of his “children” of the people of Uganda to which has dedicated his life and to which more than fifty years gives hope and help.
