Botswana's First Locally Trained Ordinands Become Priests

From All Africa-

The first locally trained priests in the Diocese of Botswana have been ordained in what was the largest ordination service held in the 42-year history of the diocese, in the Anglican Province of Central Africa.

Thirteen priests and two deacons were ordained earlier this month at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone, by the Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Revd Metlhayotlhe Beleme.

"This was a truly exciting event in our national church history," the diocese's Susan Mogwera told ACNS. "This is the largest number of priests to be ordained in the 42 years' history of the Diocese of Botswana.

"Twelve priests were trained locally at St Augustine Theological School and they are the first class to graduate."

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201512170128.html

First Motswana Anglican bishop to be consecrated

From Botswana-

The Venerable Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Ogotseng Beleme will be consecrated as the fifth Bishop of Botswana by Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA), at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone.

Invited guests include President Ian Khama, fellow bishops from the CPCA, other Christian leaders, representatives of linked overseas churches including the Bishop of Newcastle in the Church of England, and the bishops of Johannesburg, Matlosane, Lesotho and Swaziland. Beleme becomes the first Botswana-born leader of the Diocese of Botswana since its foundation in 1972.

"This is a truly exciting event in our national church history. Although the Anglican Church has been served by four faithful and dedicated leaders since the Diocese became independent in 1972, Fr Beleme will be the first to have been born in Botswana," Dean of Holy Cross Cathedral and Vicar-General of the Diocese of Botswana, Rev James McKeran said."He also comes with a personal story that whilst deeply rooted in the Setswana culture gives him a good appreciation of the wider church and world," he added.

The combined consecration and enthronement service (the latter marking the formal beginning of his ministry of teaching and care for his diocese) will be followed by lunch for all attendees in the Cathedral grounds. Fr Beleme was born in Molepolole in 1962 and is married with three children.  A qualified artisan electrician, he once worked for Jwaneng mine from 1986 until the end of 1989. Responding to God's call to serve the church as an Anglican priest, he studied theology at Lelapa la Jesu Seminary and the National University of Lesotho in Roma from 1990 to 1992.

More here-

http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=1369&dir=2013/July/Thursday11

Diocese of Botswana elects new bishop

From ACNS-

The Diocese of Botswana in the Church of the Province of Central Africa has elected Fr Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Belemi, a priest working in South Africa, as the bishop-elect of the diocese.

Provincial Secretary and Bishop of Eastern Zambia, the Rt Revd William Mchombo made the announcement after the Elective Assembly meeting held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Botswana capital Gaborone on Saturday.

"I am pleased to let you know that Fr Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Belemi is the bishop-elect of the Diocese of Botswana," said Bishop Mchombo. "The whole programme began with a solemn mass which was presided over by Archbishop of Central Africa Albert Chama."

The Archbishop preached from the Gospel of St Mark and stressed the importance of humility and service for the office of bishop while acknowledging the need for the people of God in any diocese to render support to their bishops.

The election follows the resignation and relocation of Bishop Trevor Mwamba to the UK in February this year. The bishop-elect has since accepted the election.

Fr Belemi is married with three children and currently based in the town of Klerksdorp in the Diocese of Matlosane in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa where he is serving as an archdeacon.
The 51-year old priest was ordained in 1993 and has served the church for the past 20 years in various positions both in Botswana and South Africa.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2013/4/28/Diocese-of-Botswana-elects-new-bishop

Group Calls For Bishop's Resignation

More trouble in the Anglican Church in Africa-

Last Friday afternoon, the Anglican Cathedral in Gaborone was turned into hostile territory as disgruntled faithful demanded the resignation of Bishop Trevor Mwamba (pictured).

The congregation's planned march from the South Ring Mall to the cathedral did not materialise as they failed to secure the required police escort.

However, the determined placard-waving group assembled in the church premises and chanted anti-Mwamba slogans. After about 20 minutes of song and dance, they handed a petition to churchwardens, Lorato Manthe and John Melamu because Mwamba was not available.

In the petition, the group talks about 'dirty dealings' with church finances. They say how the handling of money in the church is a closely guarded secret as the last audit report was done for the 2005 financial year.

They demanded answers for P8.8 million which the church failed to account for when the qualified audit report was held at the last diocesan Synod in 2006. The group alleges that the bishop has not shared information on the sale of a church residence for around P1 million and the subsequent purchase of another in excess of P3 million. "The sales of church property seems to be on the rise and we are concerned at the rationale and authority for these transactions which are suspect," the petition said.

http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=9&dir=2008/November/Monday10

Reinstate banned priests, orders court

We have a controversy in Botswana- Bishop Trevor Mwamba is pictured

Anglican Diocese of Botswana's Bishop Trevor Mwamba revoked their licences late last year, accusing them of contravening the Constitution and Canons of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. On the other hand the priests contended that he was pushing them out to pave way for foreigners, mostly from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"The decision by the bishop to withdraw and revoke applicants' licences to practise as priests of the Anglican Church is hereby set aside as being contrary to the Acts of Diocese of Botswana and or the Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Church," Justice Dingake said. The costs were not awarded to any of the parties.an

http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=5&dir=2008/October/Thursday16

Anglican priests seek judicial intervention

Apparently there's no shortage of lawsuits to go around. This one from Botswana. Bishop Mwamba pictured.

The licences are given to persons to perform spiritual, pastoral or evangelistic duties as per the Acts, Canons and Constitution of the Anglican Church. The applicants want the court to rescind the decision of the Bishop, as he did not give them a six months notice.

Their counsel, Mr Kgalalelo Monthe argued before Justice Dingake, that such a notice was important because their relationship with the Church was that of employer and employee. He said the laid off priests could not engage in any other business without the express authority of the Bishop. "The effect of taking away the licences was a dismissal in summary form." He also said the work of a clergyman was not just a calling, it had some rewards as well.

http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20080924&i=Anglican_priests_seek_judicial_intervention