Emeritus Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Telesphore George Mpundu, has died a few days before his 79th birthday, the Archdiocese of Lusaka has announced.
Lusaka Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda confirmed the death, stating that Archbishop Mpundu had been admitted to Maina Soko Medical Centre in March this year, where he had been receiving treatment.
In a statement, Dr. Banda said the funeral programme will be communicated in due course and called on all parishes and religious communities in the Archdiocese to offer Masses for the repose of his soul.
“It is with deep sorrow that I inform the faithful, clergy, religious, and all people of goodwill of the passing of the Emeritus Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Most Rev. Telesphore George Mpundu,” Dr. Banda said.
Born on May 21, 1947, at Kapatu Mission, Archbishop Mpundu was ordained to the priesthood in 1972 and later consecrated as Bishop in 1987.
He served as Bishop of Mbala, now Mpika Diocese, for 19 years before being appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Lusaka in 2004. He succeeded as Archbishop of Lusaka in 2006, a position he held until his retirement in 2018 due to age and health reasons.
During his ministry, Archbishop Mpundu also served multiple terms as president of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), where he became known for his outspoken leadership on governance, social justice, and national affairs.
Dr. Banda described him as a courageous church leader who consistently spoke out on issues of truth and justice while guiding the faithful with compassion and wisdom.
In Canada my uncle Marcel Gervais was a good friend of the family and he is now with him in Heaven and they are both missed greatly.