The life and ministry of the late Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi OMI were recalled as a testimony of faithful service to the Church during the Memorial Mass celebrated at St Augustine’s Co-Cathedral in Upington.

The Co-Cathedral was filled to capacity as clergy, religious, and lay faithful gathered to commemorate a bishop who shepherded the Diocese of Keimoes–Upington for 25 years. Before the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the hearse carrying Bishop Risi’s mortal remains arrived at the cathedral, accompanied by members of the faithful who walked behind it in prayer and song. An hour before the Mass, the community gathered to pray the Holy Rosary and to pay their final respects. People of all ages were present, reflecting the breadth of Bishop Risi’s pastoral ministry.

In his homily, the newly appointed Apostolic Administrator of Keimoes-Upington framed his reflection around the words of Saint Paul to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith.” Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCJ presented this passage as a fitting summary of Bishop Risi’s life of service as a priest, religious, and bishop.

The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bloemfontein recalled Bishop Risi’s attentive pastoral approach, noting that the homily had been translated into Afrikaans in recognition of the late Bishop’s conviction that Church teaching should be accessible to all the faithful in their own language. This commitment to communication and formation, he explained, was a hallmark of Bishop Risi’s ministry.

Reflecting on Bishop Risi’s ecclesial service, Archbishop Mpambani highlighted his dedication as a member of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), his distinguished leadership of the Diocese of Keimoes–Upington, and his sustained contribution to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference. Particular mention was made of his work in the areas of Christian Formation, Liturgy, and Culture, where he was known for thorough preparation, consistency, and clarity.

In his Wednesday, 17 December 2025, homily, the First Vice President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) also recalled the esteem in which Bishop Risi was held by his brother bishops, citing tributes that described him as a faithful servant of God and a dedicated worker in the vineyard of the Church. These testimonies, Archbishop Mpambani said, pointed to a ministry characterised by perseverance and responsibility.

Archbishop Mpambani also referred to the call to synodality, which invites all the baptised to journey together in communion, participation, and mission. Evangelisation, he noted, remains the shared responsibility of the entire People of God.

In concluding his homily, the Archbishop encouraged the faithful of Keimoes–Upington to remain steadfast in faith and hope, trusting in Christ’s promise of eternal life. He returned once more to Saint Paul’s words, presenting them as an appropriate summary of Bishop Risi’s completed earthly journey.