Danny and Leila Abdallah give powerful Vatican speech

Danny and Leila Abdallah used a speech at the Vatican to encourage forgiveness, and to celebrate what would have been their son Antony’s 16th birthday, and received a standing ovation.

Danny and Leila Abdallah have celebrated their late son’s birthday in the Vatican in a powerful address at the Pope’s invitation.

The couple with children Liana, 12, Alex, 7, Michael, 6 and Selina, three-months, told the Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families forgiving the drug driver who killed their children allowed them to survive.

“It was a perfect summer’s day when seven precious, adorable children walked to get some ice cream for my niece’s birthday,” Mr Abdallah said.

“What should have been an enjoyable outing for the young kids turned into one of the worst road tragedies Australia has ever seen.”

Danny and Leila Abdallah arriving with their family and Leila's sister Cristina to the World Meeting of families. Photo: Victor Sokolowicz

Mr Abdallah told the Vatican of the “war zone” he discovered when his children were killed.

“From far away I saw the police cover Antony, Selina, Angelina and Veronique with white sheets.”

The Abdallahs were invited by the Pope to speak at the convention about their faith and forgiveness after their daughters Sienna, 8, and Angelina, 12, and son Antony, 13, and the children’s cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed by a drunk and drugged driver.

The four children were walking to get ice cream in Oatlands in February 2020 when they were run down on the footpath.

The trip coincides with what would have been Antony’s 16th birthday.

Mr Abdallah said he chose forgiveness despite the “unbearable pain and sleepless nights”.

“We would either be stuck in the valley of pain and grief or I could lead them to the high ground,” he said.

“I choose to forgive myself for telling my kids to go for a walk. I choose to forgive the offender in obedience to my father in heaven.

“If my children were here today they would say Dad forgive him.”

Leila used her speech to wish her late son Antony a happy birthday. Photo: Victor Sokolowicz

Ms Abdallah told the story of returning to the scene to see flowers, when she knelt down where her children died and prayed.

“When I spoke about the driver I said, I don’t hate him. I think in my heart I forgive him, but I want the court to be fair,” she said, to applause.

“I did not know the impact of these words, I believe the holy spirit moved my lips to speak words of forgiveness.”

Ms Abdallah said she didn’t wait for the driver to apologise, but took the initiative in order to save her marriage and be a role model to her children.

Sienna (8), Angelina (12) and Antony (13) who were killed when they were run down by a drug driver in 2020.

“I would not have imagined that we would be in the Vatican on the eve of my son Antony’s 16th birthday to speak about forgiveness to the world and from here I would like to wish my son Antony a happy, heavenly 16th birthday.”

Ms Abdallah said she was closest to her kids when she is at mass, and said she takes comfort knowing they are in heaven.

The family also used the speech to tell the international Catholic community about i4Give Day, celebrated on the anniversary of their children’s death.