Fr Stephen Molefi appointed Oblate Provincial Superior of Lesotho and Botswana

The Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate has designated  four Oblates from the Lesotho Province to serve as members of the  Council for the Province of Lesotho and Botswana: Fr Felix Pokane Molumeli, Fr Julius Moeketsi Maqabe, Fr Lawrence  Mokhali Takatso, and Fr Innocent Mojao Phangoa.

The  Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the provinces of Lesotho and Botswana  express their gratitude to Almighty God as Fr Stephen Molefi, the  Provincial Superior of the Province of Lesotho and Botswana,  begins his leadership ministry.

The  council has been entrusted to the grace of God, with prayers that He  may bestow upon them wisdom, strength, and fidelity as they fulfill  their duties in service to the Province.

In  preparation for the departure of the outgoing Provincial, Fr Sydney  Boatile Mothusi OMI, the congregation at Ntate Gerard House in Ha Tsolo,  located in the Archdiocese of Maseru, gathered for Mass to bid  farewell to the outgoing Provincial and to express their gratitude for  his guidance during his time at Ntate Gerard House. They thanked him for  the daily Masses he provided for their village and the surrounding  areas.

Farewell Fr Sydney Boatile

Fr Sydney Mothusi  Boatile OMI, a native of Botswana from St. Peter’s Parish in Gaborone,  was ordained as a Priest on November 20, 2010, in the Diocese of  Gaborone. He was first elected as the Provincial of the Oblates of Mary  Immaculate for the Lesotho and Botswana Province in 2019 and was  re-elected in 2023. His role as Provincial involved overseeing the  Oblates in Lesotho and Botswana, as well as participating in regional  meetings and those concerning Africa-Madagascar.

Fr Boatile had a  passion for martial arts during his youth, and his humility and sense of humour endeared him to the faithful in Lesotho. It was during his tenure  that the community life of the Oblates was revitalised, and he resided  at Ntate Gerard House alongside the Oblates’ bursar, Fr. George Ramaqele  OMI.The faithful in Lesotho have assured Fr Koenane Stephen Molefi OMI  of their prayers as he takes on this new role, expressing their  confidence that he will uphold the mission of Archbishop Emmanuel  Gregory Mabathoana OMI. The Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference has  designated this year as a time for reflection on the late Archbishop of  Maseru.

May the Lord bless the Oblates of Lesotho and Botswana Province.