Catholic Church in Lesotho

{{short description|none}} {{Catholic Church by country}} [[File:Lesotho-Pos.png|thumb|right|alt=Lesotho highlighted on a map of Africa|Lesotho highlighted in red]] The '''Catholic Church in [[Lesotho]]''' is part of the worldwide [[Catholic Church]], under the spiritual leadership of the [[Pope]] in [[Rome]].

In 2020, over 90 percent of the population were Christians;<ref name=US2022>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/Lesotho US State Dept 2022 report] ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> followers of traditional religion, along with [[Muslims]], [[Hindus]] and [[Baha'is]], constitute the remainder.

In 2020, Catholics accounted for 45 percent of the population.<ref name=ARDA>[https://thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=130c&u=23r The ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-28]</ref> However, other estimates were much higher.<ref>[https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/lesotho Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref>

Christians are scattered throughout the country, while Muslims live mainly in the northeastern part of the country. Most practitioners of Islam are of Asian origin, while the majority of Christians are the indigenous Basotho.

Many Christians still practice their traditional cultural beliefs and rituals along with Christianity. The Catholic Church has fused some aspects of local culture into its services. For example, the singing of hymns during services has developed into a local and traditional way of singing (a repetitive call and response style) in Sesotho, the indigenous language, as well as [[English language|English]]. In addition priests are seen dressed in local dress during services.

The prominent role of the Catholic Church in the country derives from the successful establishment of Catholic schools in the 20th century and their influence over education policy. The Catholic Church used to own about 75 percent of all primary and secondary schools in the country, and was instrumental in establishing the [[National University of Lesotho]]; as of 2007, however, it owned less than 40 percent of the primary and secondary schools.<ref name=report>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90104.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Lesotho]. United States [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor]] (September 14, 2007). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref>

The Catholic Church helped found the [[Basotho National Party]] (BNP) in 1959 and sponsored it in the independence elections in 1966. Most members of the BNP are practicing Catholics. The BNP ruled the country from independence in 1966 until 1985 when it was overthrown in a military coup. The then-opposition [[Basutoland Congress Party]] (BCP) historically has been aligned with the Protestant [[Lesotho Evangelical Church]].<ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2001/5617.htm US State Dept 2009 report] ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]]''</ref>

There are 4 dioceses including one [[archdiocese]]:

*[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Maseru|Maseru]] **[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Leribe|Leribe]] **[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek|Mohale’s Hoek]] **[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Qacha’s Nek|Qacha’s Nek]]

==See also== *[[Religion in Lesotho]] *[[List of saints from Africa]]

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Africa topic|Catholic Church in|groupstyle=background-color:gold|titlestyle=background-color:gold}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Catholic Church in Lesotho| ]] [[Category:Catholic Church by country|Lesotho]] [[Category:Catholic Church in Africa|Lesotho]]