Edward Gabriel Risi
Edward Gabriel Risi O.M.I. was a South African Roman Catholic prelate. He was bishop of the Diocese of Keimoes–Upington from 14 October 2000 until his death on 4 December 2025, at the age of 76. He was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II. His episcopal consecration took place at Upington on 14 October 2000. He died in a hospital in Johannesburg. He was a professed member of the Catholic religious order of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Background and education
He was born on 6 January 1949 in Johannesburg. He attended Holy Rosary Convent School, in Edenvale. He then attended Saint Benedict's College, in Bedfordview. He studied at the novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, beginning in 1967. He studied at the Saint Joseph's Scholasticate, in Cedara, KwaZulu Natal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree awarded by the University of South Africa in 1973. He majored in Biblical Studies and History of Philosophy.Priesthood
He was ordained a priest for his Religious Order on 12 July 1974. He served as a priest until5 July 2000. While a priest, he served in various roles and locations, including as:
- He spent five months in Lesotho in 1975.
- Assistant pastor of St. Margaret's, Diepkloof, Soweto from 1975 until 1978.
- Parish priest in Diepkloof from 1978 until 1984.
- Provincial Superior of the OMI Religious Order in the Transvaal Province from 1984 until 1990.
- Novice Master at the OMI Inter-provincial Novitiate in Johannesburg from 1990 until 2000.
- Parish priest of Saint Peter Claver Parish, in Primville, Soweto from 1990 until 1993.