Maseru, 20 April, 2021 / 7:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis has paid tribute to the first-ever Cardinal in the Southern African nation of Lesotho, Sebastian Cardinal Koto Khoarai, remembering the Church leader who died April 17 aged 91 for his commitment to promoting vocations to the priesthood.
In his Tuesday, April 20 telegram message addressed to Bishop John Tlhomola of Lesotho’s Mohale’s Hoek Diocese, the Holy Father says he learnt of the death of Cardinal Khoarai, the predecessor of Bishop Tlhomola, “with sadness.”
“With gratitude for Cardinal Khoarai’s witness of consecrated life as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI), his longstanding commitment to the promotion of vocations to the Priesthood and his dedication to the Church’s Educational Apostolate in Lesotho, I willingly join you in praying that our heavenly Father may grant him the reward of his tireless labors and welcome his noble soul into the joy of His eternal kingdom,” Pope Francis says in his message.
The Holy Father goes on to express his “heartfelt condolences” to the Local Ordinary, members of the Clergy, Religious and the Laity of Mohale’s Hoek Diocese following the passing on of the Cardinal.
“To all who mourn the late Cardinal’s passing in the sure hope of the resurrection, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of the consolation and peace in Jesus Christ our savior,” the Pontiff adds.