KENYA: Italian Bishop Emeritus of Marsabit Diocese Dies at 91
Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi, Emeritus of Kenya's Marsabit
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi, Emeritus of Kenya’s Marsabit Diocese has died Friday, October 30, at 91- years- old at a Nairobi Hospital.
The Secretary General of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) announced the demise of Bishop Ravasi hours after his death.
“On behalf of the Superior General, I’m sending you the communication about the demise of Msgr. Ambrogio Ravasi, a Consolata missionary and emeritus of Marsabit,” the Secretary General Fr. Pedro Louro announced in a Friday statement and adds, “As soon as possible, we will inform you about the funeral arrangements. Let us pray for his eternal rest in the joy of Heaven.”
Bishop Ravasi who became the second Consolata Missionary Bishop in Kenya after the late Bishop Charles Maria Cavallera has been staying in Kenya since his retirement in 2006.
The late Bishop Emeritus was born in February 1929, in Bellusco, Italy. He was ordained a priest of the Consolata Missionaries in February 1957 and 24years later he was appointed Marsabit Diocese where he served until his retirement.
In a Facebook page of Kenya’s Maralal Diocese which used to be part of Marsabit until June 2001, the diocese mourns the Bishop as a devout Shepherd who was heroic in virtue.
“The Catholic Diocese of Maralal pays tribute to Bishop Ravasi as God fearing, humble, peace loving and devout shepherd; a man of impeccable character and heroic virtues who exhibited a cheerful charisma and a strong personality even in sickness and old age,” the post read.
They Eulogize further, “Recalling with appreciation Bishop Ravasi’s total and selfless dedication to the Gospel and cause for evangelization in the Dioceses of Marsabit and Maralal and indeed the entire Church, it is our prayer that his devoted ministry, example, teachings and way of life will inspire the Church with a missionary spirit and the deep desire to make Christ known and loved by all.
They recall his hard work that made the Catholic Diocese of Maralal be erected from the Diocese of Marsabit. “To this day, Marsabit is considered to be the mother Diocese of Maralal,” indicates the post.
