Bishop Tumahole Augustinus Bane OMI,
President of LCBC.                                                                July 24, 2020

Dear Bishop,

We the bishops of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference are deeply saddened on hearing of the death of Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Mohlalisi of Maseru. We wish to extend to you as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Lesotho and through you to the people of Lesotho, and to the family of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate our most sincere condolences on this great loss for the Church and nation of Lesotho.

As friends and neighbors we are aware and acknowledge Archbishop Mohlalisi and his outstanding service to the people of God for 29 years as archbishop. We remember with gratitude how he, as leader of the Church in Lesotho, received our exiles from the apartheid regime and offered them hospitality and spiritual care. He was a shepherd to many South Africans and we can never forget.

We take this opportunity to express thanksgiving to the Catholic Church of Lesotho for being there for our people in a time of need. And now on the sad loss of Archbishop Emeritus we assure you of our prayers for someone who was a friend, a brother and a shepherd.

We thank God for the gift He gave us in the life and example of the Archbishop. We join with you in finding solace and comfort in the mercy of God and in remembering a good and faithful servant who lived at the service of the Lord and His people. May the Lord to whom Archbishop Mohlalisi dedicated his great human and spiritual talents be His eternal joy and reward.

Yours fraternally in Christ,

+S. Sipuka (SACBC President)
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For more information kindly contact: Archbishop W. Slattery, ofm – +27 (0) 083 468 5473