Fr. Richard Leone Orota, C.PP.S died in the morning of August 7 after short illness. However his health had been deteriorating during last year. For several months he was suffering from lung difficulties and Anemia. He had improved a lot during the last several months, he had also resumed active ministry.

Fr. Richard Orota was born from a Christian family and received the sacraments of Christian initiation in his childhood and boyhood. He is the fourth son of Leone Lewanga and Maria Saleya among seven siblings. His father died before Fr. Richard joined the congregation.  He joined the society in August 14 1988 after his secondary education in the Apostles of Jesus Seminary in Uru Moshi. After his initial formation in Tanzania he was sent to Rome Italy for Theology in 1992. He was ordained in 1998 and he has a degree of Canon Law from St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical University in Rome Italy.  He celebrated his Silver Jubilee of his Priestly ordination on July 6, this year, exactly one month before his death.

He served in different Parish ministries as associate and Pastor, also in different Pastoral stations in Tanzania, Italy and for some months in London. Local ordinaries of the dioceses in which he served, made use of his expertise as Canonist, in special way in the Diocese of Singida.

We  thank God for the gift of life and ministry of Fr. Richard Leone Orota for 25 years. God gave him many good gifts that he shared generously with many people who lived and did mission with him. He was charming and cheerful even when he was going through difficult health situations. He did his apostolic work professionally and diligently, he had a special gift of cleanliness and tidiness just like St. Gaspar Del Bufalo. He is missed in all places where he lived and ministered. During the celebration of his silver Jubilee at Boko Parish he surprised many people for the way he was so happy and cheerful. He also participated at the Provincial Electroral Assembly, he met many confreres whom he had missed for long time. After the Assembly he wanted to visit communities and invite many people to the celebration he was planning to have on Agust 24th at his home village! May he celebrate it in Heaven with Mary our Mother, the Angles and saints. St. Gaspar reminds us : “We are pilgrims, we live in a temporary inn, we are in transit and this is not our homeland” (Letter # 3785).