Church, State mourn Archbishop Mpundu
By Thandizo Banda
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has joined the Catholic Church and the nation in mourning Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, who died on Friday at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
The Archbishop’s death came after he was admitted to the facility following an undisclosed illness.
“It is with profound sorrow that we have learnt of the passing of His Grace, Telesphore George Mpundu, Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church in Zambia, the Archdiocese of Lusaka, and the Catholic faithful across the country,” Hichilema said.
Hichilema said Emeritus Archbishop Mpundu will be remembered for his distinguished spiritual leadership, humility, unwavering commitment to dialogue, peace, justice and national unity.
Vice-President Mutale Nalumango also expressed sadness over the death of Archbishop Mpundu.
“While attending to the funeral of Third Republican President of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, I have learnt with great shock about the untimely passing of Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu. His Grace was a towering moral voice whose lifelong commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all people left an indelible mark on our nation.
“At this difficult moment, please accept my deepest sympathies as the country mourns a leader whose courage and clarity of purpose inspired many. May his legacy continue to guide our collective pursuit of unity and compassion. Please be assured of my thoughts and prayers for his family, the Church, and the nation during this period of great loss,” Nalumango said.
Archbishop Mpundu died on Friday at the age of 79.
Archbishop Mpundu served as the Archbishop of Lusaka from 2006 until his retirement in 2018.
He was a prominent voice on social justice, peace and political accountability, often speaking out against violence and impunity.
Announcing his death, Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda described Archbishop Mpundu as a distinguished shepherd of the Catholic Church in Zambia.
“He leaves behind a legacy of pastoral service, leadership and advocacy for justice,” Archbishop Banda said.
He said Archbishop Mpundu’s leadership guided the Church through critical moments when the nation needed a moral voice.
Mutale Mwansa of Lusaka’s St Ignatius Parish said: “We have lost a legend. He loved his people and stood for his people regardless of the barriers of life,” he said.
Ordained a priest in 1972, Archbishop Mpundu became Bishop of Mbala in 1987 before moving to Lusaka.
He also served multiple terms as president of the Zambia Conference for Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the Archdiocese of Lusaka.
