Bishop John Tlhomola’s 60th birthday and 28th priestly anniversary

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.