On 17 May, Bishop Mark attended the ordination of the first women priests in our Link Diocese of Botswana. Below, he offers a brief reflection, 'This is God's Church', on this momentous occasion.
The Ordination of the first women in priests in the Diocese Botswana and in the Church of the Province of Central Africa was an historic and truly memorable occasion. It was a privilege to witness it and to take part in the ordination.
Fourteen women were ordained by the Bishop of Botswana, Rt Revd Metlha Beleme, in the Anglican Holy Cross Cathedral in Gaborone, Botswana. Attending the service were the Archbishop of the Province, Most Revd Albert Chama, the Bishops of Harare and Matabeleland in Zimbabwe, the Bishops of Matlosane and Pretoria in South Africa, as well as Bishop Sam and myself from Botswana’s Link Dioceses, North Carolina and Newcastle respectively. Plus innumerable supporters, priests and congregations from across Botswana and the wider region.
Bishop Vincentia (Bishop of Pretoria) was inspiring as she preached the sermon, reminding us all that the church is never our church, or our diocese, but it is always God’s Church, and we are called to be servants and shepherds after the heart of Christ. There was a real sense in the service that this was indeed God’s Church as so many of us gathered from so many different places to worship and pray with so much joy, hope and expectation.
It was a glorious and grace-filled celebration that stretched well over 5 hours. It was also a reminder of the deep faith, patience, courage and perseverance of so many people to get to this day, not least the 14 women who were ordained priest. Some of those who were ordained had been ordinands for 10 years or more. As part of the ordination they each received the gift of a chalice and paten made by a potter in North Carolina. Gifts from us in Newcastle included a chasuble for each new priest.
Please keep the Diocese of Botswana in your prayers as they move forward, and especially for the 14 newly ordained priests: Ethel, Dijeng, Florence, Lesedi, Gasetoro, Margaret, Precious, Beauty, Mercy, Bosinki, Onica, Lesego, Mosetsanagape and Hildah.
+ Mark Berwick
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Photo Credit: Diocese of Botswana / Gracious Studios