AFRICA/KENYA - Diocese of Marsabit mourns missionaries who devoted their lives to helping the poorest of the poor

Friday, 15 April 2005

Nairobi (Fides Service)- Marsabit diocese in northern Kenya is mourning two beloved missionaries, according to CISA Catholic news agency in Nairobi. Italian Father Attilio Ravasi, a Consolata missionary, who died on 13 April at the age of 68 after a long illness. And German lay missionary Hildegard Helmer, aged 79 who died on 12 April in Nairobi. Fr Attilio was the brother of the Bishop of Marsabit, Ambrogio Ravasi, also a Consolata missionary.
Born in Bellusco, Milan Italy in 1937, Fr. Attilio was ordained in 1970 and began his mission in Kenya in 1974, where he served uninterruptedly for 31 years, mainly in the diocese of Meru (parishes of Amung'enti, Kanyakine, Materi and Gatunga with a four year interval for further studies at the Consolata Seminary in Lang'ata, Nairobi. Since 1996 Fr Attilio had been administrator of Marsabit diocese. Fr. Attilio worked especially among young people. A requiem Mass will be celebrated for him today 15 April at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi. His body will be returned to Italy for burial.
Hildegard Helmer, originally from Muenster had been on mission in Kenya since 1966, mainly involved in education among the Gabbra people in the north, working closely with another missionary Fr Rocca who founded the North Horr Catholic Mission and is now retired in Italy. Ms Helmer worked in the diocese of Marsabit for more than 40 years. She was known by the people as H'aada Gabbra, Mother of the Gabbra. She will be remembered note only for her mission and work but also for her intense spirituality. As she requested, Hildegard will be buried in North Horr, on 16 April. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2005 righe 27 parole 342)


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