Bishop John Tlhomola’s 60th birthday and 28th priestly anniversary
Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP
By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The diocese, celebrated for its orderliness, is the diocese of Mohale’s Hoek, which commemorates 60 years of life and 28 years of Priesthood for its diocesan Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP.
The event was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Mohale’s Hoek. The Archbishop of Maseru, Tlali Gerard Lerotholi OMI, along with Bishop Mopeli Joseph Sephamola OMI, the Bishop of Qacha’s Nek, and Bishop Vitalis Sekhonyana Marole OMI, were present at the occasion, accompanied by priests and religious sisters.
The event commenced with Holy Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The homily was delivered by the Archbishop of Maseru, Tlali Gerard Lerotholi OMI, who emphasised that the day was a day of Thanksgiving to the Lord, acknowledging that our lives, work, and all endeavours are made possible through Him. He stated that all attendees had gathered to express their gratitude to the Lord for the life He has granted them, thus considering the day a joyful occasion and expressing appreciation to the Lord for both bodily and Priestly lives, as He is a merciful God.
In his remarks of Thanksgiving, the Bishop of Mohale’s Hoek conveyed his profound gratitude to the Lord our God for granting him 60 years of life and 28 years of a Priestly journey. He expressed that his joy stems from the understanding that Our Lord is a merciful and faithful God who never abandons His children. He also expressed his appreciation to those who celebrated alongside him and contributed significantly to the success of this event.
The government of Lesotho was represented by the Minister of Local Government and Police Affairs, Hon Lebona Lephema, who generously made a substantial donation to the diocese of Mohale’s Hoek as a token of appreciation to the Lord. Bishop Tlhomola SCP, who was ordained as a Priest in 1998, was born in the Archdiocese of Maseru in Pulane, Berea district, on March 12, 1966. He has spent the majority of his priestly life serving in the Archdiocese of Pretoria. When Pope Francis appointed Fr Tlhomola as the Bishop of Mohale’s Hoek in 2014, he was already serving as the Superior General of the Servants of Christ the Priest congregation at its headquarters in the Archdiocese of Pretoria.
Bishop Tlhomola oversees Religious Life, the lay Apostolate, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, and Radio Maria within the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference. Among his significant achievements in the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference is the founding of a new religious order, the Sacred Stigmatines Fathers, at Bethel Parish, as well as the confirmations of the St Joseph Devotees Association and the St Joseph Sodality for men.
May God continue to bless Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP.
