AFRICA/KENYA - Dominican Community and locals mourn US born missionary Thomas Heath who died of injuries sustained when thugs attacked a religious house in north west Kenya

Nairobi (Fides Service) - Yesterday 18 January the Dominican community in Nairobi gathered for the funeral of American born Dominican Father Thomas Richard Heath who died at the age 85 on January 13, in Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, of injuries sustained when thugs attacked a Dominican house in Kisumu, 350 km north west of Nairobi, capital of Kenya. CISA news service reports Father.
“Father Thomas was a faithful servant of God” said Father Benedict Croell in Kisumu. “men and women, religious and laity, looked to him as the wisest counsellors in their spiritual journey...his own Dominican brothers venerated him as an outstanding example of fidelity in their contemplative way of life and a most joyful and compassionate member of their community”.
Father Thomas had been in Kenya for the past 13 years, after 10 years of ministry in South Africa and Lesotho. Renowned as a preachers and a teacher, he was mentor to a whole generation of young Catholic clergy of Kenya who have studied theology at St Mattias Mulumba National seminary in Tindinyo in recent years.
A vigil took place the night of Monday January 17 at the Dominican community St. Martin de Porres, Mkendwa.
Father Heath was born on 19 June 1920, he made his religious profession 28 May 1944 and was ordained a priest on 10 June 1950. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/1/2005 righe 25 parole 303)