Diocese of Leribe

Dioecesis Leribensis

Bishop(s)

Vitalis Sekhonyana Marole, O.M.I., Bishop
Augustinus Tumaole Bane, O.M.I., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 11 December 1952
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Maseru
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Lesotho
Square Kilometers: 5,215 (2,014 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 1, Saint Monica 290, Lesotho
Telephone: 59.01.17.22

Past and Present Ordinaries

Emanuel Gregory ’Mabathoana, O.M.I. † (11 Dec 1952 Appointed - 3 Jan 1961 Appointed, Archbishop of Maseru)
Ignatius Phakoe, O.M.I. † (3 Jan 1961 Appointed - 18 Jun 1968 Resigned)
Paul Khoarai † (7 Mar 1970 Appointed - 30 Jun 2009 Retired)
Augustinus Tumaole Bane, O.M.I. (30 Jun 2009 Appointed - 28 Feb 2025 Retired)
Vitalis Sekhonyana Marole, O.M.I. (28 Feb 2025 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
11 December 1952	Erected	Diocese of Maseru (Leribe and Butha-Büthe)	Diocese of Leribe (erected)
3 January 1961	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Leribe (from Bloemfontein)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1970 87,090 103,200 84.4% 8 15 23 3,786 22 191 2 ap1971

1978 127,838 283,147 45.1% 8 10 18 7,102 20 168 16 ap1981

1990 145,848 287,700 50.7% 10 15 25 5,833 25 141 17 ap1991

1998 224,010 498,800 44.9% 17 16 33 6,788 21 110 18 ap2001

2001 224,310 499,300 44.9% 16 13 29 7,734 21 225 19 ap2002

2003 230,639 424,400 54.3% 18 10 28 8,237 13 226 17 ap2004

2013 230,840 426,900 54.1% 26 8 34 6,789 16 161 19 ap2014

2016 250,645 439,462 57.0% 28 8 36 6,962 14 162 19 ap2017

2019 252,440 440,206 57.3% 31 6 37 6,822 8 170 19 ap2020

2021 264,900 445,800 59.4% 32 6 38 6,971 8 184 19 ap2022

2023 266,753 455,700 58.5% 29 4 33 8,083 6 187 19 ap2024

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1970	87,090	103,200	84.4%	8	15	23	3,786	22	191	2	ap1971
1978	127,838	283,147	45.1%	8	10	18	7,102	20	168	16	ap1981
1990	145,848	287,700	50.7%	10	15	25	5,833	25	141	17	ap1991
1998	224,010	498,800	44.9%	17	16	33	6,788	21	110	18	ap2001
2001	224,310	499,300	44.9%	16	13	29	7,734	21	225	19	ap2002
2003	230,639	424,400	54.3%	18	10	28	8,237	13	226	17	ap2004
2013	230,840	426,900	54.1%	26	8	34	6,789	16	161	19	ap2014
2016	250,645	439,462	57.0%	28	8	36	6,962	14	162	19	ap2017
2019	252,440	440,206	57.3%	31	6	37	6,822	8	170	19	ap2020
2021	264,900	445,800	59.4%	32	6	38	6,971	8	184	19	ap2022
2023	266,753	455,700	58.5%	29	4	33	8,083	6	187	19	ap2024