Former Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu has died at the age of 79, the Catholic Church in Zambia has announced.
In a statement issued to ZANIS, Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda described Archbishop Mpundu as a devoted servant of the Church who dedicated his life to the spiritual growth of the faithful and the promotion of justice and good governance in Zambia.
Archbishop Banda said the late Archbishop Mpundu was born on May 21, 1947, at Kapatu Mission and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972.
He was later installed as Bishop in 1987, serving as Bishop of Mbala, now Mpika, for 19 years before being appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Lusaka in 2004 and subsequently succeeding as Archbishop in 2006, a position he held until his retirement in 2018.
Archbishop Banda said the late cleric will be remembered for his courageous voice on national issues and his compassionate leadership within the Church.
He noted that during his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Mpundu served multiple terms as President of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), earning respect for his strong advocacy on governance, social justice, and national affairs, as well as his courageous stand on truth and justice while guiding the faithful with compassion and wisdom.
Archbishop Banda has since called on all parishes and religious communities in the Archdiocese of Lusaka to offer Masses of Suffrage for the repose of the late Archbishop’s soul.
He further announced that funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
