His Eminence

Sebastian Koto Khoarai

O.M.I.
Cardinal, Bishop emeritus of Mohale's Hoek
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
DioceseMohale's Hoek
Appointed10 November 1977
Term ended11 February 2014
PredecessorNone
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia (2016-2021)
Orders
Ordination21 December 1956
Consecration2 April 1978
by Alfonso Liguori Morapeli
Created cardinal19 November 2016
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Born
Sebastian Koto Khoarai

(1929-09-11)11 September 1929
Koaling, Lesotho
Died17 April 2021(2021-04-17) (aged 91)
Mazenod, Lesotho
Previous post(s)
  • President of the Episcopal Conference of Lesotho (1982-1987)
Coat of armsSebastian Koto Khoarai's coat of arms
Ordination history of
Sebastian Koto Khoarai
History
Priestly ordination
Date21 December 1956
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorAlfonso Liguori Morapeli
Co-consecratorsJoseph Patrick Fitzgerald
Paul Khoarai
Date2 April 1978
Cardinalate
Elevated byPope Francis
Date19 November 2016
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Sebastian Koto Khoarai as principal consecrator
John Joale Tlhomola10 May 2014
Styles of
Sebastian Koto Khoarai
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Sebastian Koto Khoarai, O.M.I. (11 September 1929 – 17 April 2021) was a prelate of the Catholic Church who was bishop of Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho from 1977 to 2014. He was made a cardinal in 2016 and was the first and so far the only cardinal from Lesotho.[1]

Biography

Khoarai was born in Koaling in the diocese of Leribe in 1929. He entered the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was ordained a priest in 1956.

In 1977 he was appointed bishop of Mohale's Hoek. He received his episcopal consecration in 1978. In May 2006, he submitted his resignation upon reaching the age limit of 75, but remained as apostolic administrator of the diocese until February 2014. From 1982 to 1987 he served as president of the Episcopal Conference of Lesotho.

On 9 October 2016, Pope Francis announced that Khoarai would be created a cardinal on 19 November 2016 and become Lesotho's first cardinal. Due to his health he was unable to attend the consistory on 19 November,[2] but he later received the biretta in Lesotho from the apostolic nuncio Peter Bryan Wells.[3]

Khoarai died on 17 April 2021.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ Gomes, Robin (20 April 2021). "Pope's condolences for late Cardinal Khoarai of Lesotho". Vatican News. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ^ McElwee, Joshua J. (19 November 2016). "Creating new cardinals, Francis warns against 'virus of polarization' in the church". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. ^ Andrea, Tornielli (19 November 2016). "Concistoro per 17 nuovi cardinali, San Pietro si tinge di porpora". La Stampa. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Kardinal Khoarai aus Lesotho gestorben". Vatican News (in German). 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Cardinal Khoarai Dies". Lesotho News Agency. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

External links

Catholic Church titles Preceded bydiocese established Bishop of Mohale's Hoek 10 November 1977—10 February 2014 Succeeded byJohn Joale Tlhomola Preceded bytitular church established Cardinal Priest of San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia 19 November 2016 – 17 April 2021 Succeeded byvacant
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