Lesotho Catholic Church Celebrates New Bishop of Leribe

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The Church of St Leonard Semonkong, located in the Archdiocese of Maseru, commemorated the episcopal appointment of their own son, brother, and uncle as the Bishop of Leribe, on May 25.

Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Sekhonyana Vitalis Marole OMI, concelebrated with the Archbishop of Maseru, Tlali Gerard Lerotholi OMI, the President of the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop  Mopeli Joseph Sephamola OMI, the Deputy President, JohnJoale Tlhomola SCP, and Bishop Emeritus of Leribe, Augustine Tumahole Bane OMI, along with a significant number of priests.

In his homily, the Deputy President of the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, JohnJoale Tlhomola SCP, emphasised the significance of the relationship between a shepherd and his flock. He remarked that while animals are often perceived as lacking human reasoning, they maintain strong bonds with their shepherds. He urged the faithful from Leribe to cultivate a positive relationship with their new ‘Shepherd’ and to heed his voice.

Attendees at this celebration included the principal of Matsieng, Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, who is also a member of the Sacred Heart Sodality at St Louis Matsieng. The police commissioner of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, Mr Borotho Matsoso, was also in attendance, along with the area chief of Semonkong, Chief Mohlakana Lerotholi, and other local chiefs under his authority. Representatives from various religious life congregations in Lesotho, as well as faithful from all four dioceses of Lesotho, were present. Pastors and congregants from other religious denominations also honoured this historic occasion. Local school pupils were present to provide entertainment for the guests.

The Parish Priest of St Leonard Parish, Fr Innocent Phangoa OMI, welcomed everyone and assured them of their safety within his parish. Fr Moeketsi Moeti OMI introduced the purpose of the event to the attendees. The people of Semonkong had organised themselves for the celebration, including attire, entertainment, and lunch served to the guests.

Leribe Bishop Sekhonyana Vitalis Marole’s Journey and the Challenges Ahead

The Thanksgiving celebration for Bishop Sekhonyana Vitalis Marole OMI took place at St Leonard Semonkong, the new bishop’s birthplace. He was born in Semonkong Ha Ntlhasinye on December 10, 1954, in Maletsunyane. Bishop Marole is the fourth of seven children born to their late parents, comprising four daughters and three sons. Two of his brothers have passed away, leaving the Bishop and his four sisters as the only surviving members of the family.

Throughout his upbringing, Bishop Marole resided in various locations. He began his primary education at Sefateng Primary School in Maletsunyane when his parents relocated to Ketane Ha Hlalele in 1965, where he continued his primary studies. He then attended Ha Maama, Roma, and furthered his education at Roma Primary. However, he returned to Semonkong to complete his primary education at what was then known as St Leonard Higher Primary School.

In 1974, Bishop Marole OMI secured employment before proceeding to Leribe, where he attended Sacred High School at St Monica’s. He continued his high school education until 1979, when he graduated. During this time, he was also admitted to St Joseph Seminary in the Diocese of Leribe. In 1980, he became a member of the Society of Young Missionary Sons of Jesus, established by Fr Reginald Webber OMI in the Archdiocese of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa. That same year, he was sent to Marapyane in the Republic of South Africa to begin his novitiate for the Priesthood.

In 1987, he was ordained as a deacon, followed by his Priestly ordination in 1988 at Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, officiated by His Grace George Daniel of the Archdiocese of Pretoria. In 1993, Bishop Marole joined the Congregation of Oblates Immaculate of Mary after the Society of Young Missionaries of Jesus was dissolved. In 2001, he travelled to the USA to further his studies. Bishop Marole has served different parishes in the Republic of South Africa. His final mission in the Archdiocese of Pretoria took place at Waverly Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, coinciding with his appointment as the Bishop of Leribe while he was serving that parish.

On March 15, 2025, Bishop Marole arrived in Lesotho, where he was greeted with a grand celebration at the Caledon border gate in Botha Bothe by the Diocese of Leribe. He was escorted in a large parade to St. Monica’s Cathedral, where he would reside, a location where he had resumed his Priestly studies in the late 1970s.

The appointment and episcopal ordination of Bishop Marole marked a significant event in the history of the church in Lesotho, as it had been a long time since the church had gathered so many Bishops from the Southern African region (IMBISA), along with Priests and members of various religious congregations. Both King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho were in attendance at the ordination. The Prime Minister of Lesotho, Honourable Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, was also present and contributed a cow as part of the ordination ceremony. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara was present. Members of the national assembly from various political parties attended Bishop Marole’s ordination, along with a significant number of area chiefs and lay faithful from various dioceses in the region.

Different sectors in Lesotho hold the belief that Bishop Marole will bring about positive changes within the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, particularly at a time when the mother church is facing numerous challenges and trials due to political influences and the attitudes of the faithful towards the foundational principles and morals of the church. Modernisation poses one of the challenges, as many Catholics are becoming initiated as sangomas, and numerous marriages are not being blessed by the church, leading to a concerning rise in divorce rates. Additionally, children have become involved in gang activities and are engaging in drug use and other serious crimes. There are also issues of disobedience among certain religious orders and strained relationships between the faithful and Priests. This is the situation that many believe Bishop Marole will address.