By Brian Matambo | 15 May 2026

The Archdiocese of Lusaka has announced the death of Archbishop Emeritus Telesphore George Mpundu, one of Zambia’s most respected Catholic leaders and a long-standing voice on matters of faith, governance, justice, and national conscience.

The announcement was made in a very urgent notice issued by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lusaka, addressed to the faithful, clergy, religious communities, and all people of goodwill.

“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,” Archbishop Banda stated.

Archbishop Mpundu was born on 21 May 1947 at Kapatu Mission and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He was installed as Bishop of Mbala, now Mpika, in 1987, where he served 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.

During his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Mpundu also served multiple terms as President of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was widely respected for his strong advocacy on governance, social justice, and national affairs, speaking with courage on matters of truth and justice while shepherding the faithful with compassion and wisdom.

The Archdiocese has asked all parishes and religious communities in Lusaka to offer a Mass of Suffrage for the repose of his soul.

The funeral programme will be communicated in due course.

Archbishop Mpundu leaves behind a towering legacy of pastoral service, moral courage, leadership, and fearless advocacy for justice in Zambia. His voice was not merely clerical. It was national. A shepherd has fallen, but the echo of his witness remains.