16 Jul 2013

 The newly ordained Bishop Metlhayotlhe Beleme has vowed to serve God diligently.

 “I Metlhayotlhe Beleme do so affirm and accordingly declare my belief in the faith, which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the Catholic Creeds and to which the historic formularies of the church of the Province of Central Africa bear witness; in the public prayer and administration of sacraments, I will use only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by Canon,” proclaimed Bishop Beleme.

Taking an oath in front of the multitudes of people who descended the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone on July 14, Venerable Beleme was consecrated and enthroned the fifth bishop of Botswana by Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA).

Bishop Beleme made history by becoming the first Botswana-born Bishop of the Diocese of Botswana since the establishment of Anglican Church in 1972.  When Installing the new bishop, Archbishop Chama said the tasks that lied ahead of Bishop Beleme were too high as he should embody a true shepherd of God who united, fed and governed his flock.

He said by virtue of his position, he should be a true ambassador of God who would build, heal and not hurt or destroy the people of God. “As bishop, you should care for your clergy, listen to worries and personal lives of the congregation as they confess to you because they can only open up to you,” he said.

He also called the congregation to care for and support their new bishop in order for him to achieve his goals. After ordination, Bishop Beleme was awarded symbols of office that included the Holy Bible, which he received as a guide for words of eternal life that he should declare to the world.

He also received the bishop’s ring that symbolised a sign of faith, the cross resembling the passion of Christ, the mitre or bishops head gear to remind him of the tongues which rested on each of the Apostles when they were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and the pastoral staff or walking stick as a reminder of being a shepherd of the people of God.

The Cathedral of Holy Cross Gaborone dean, Reverend James McKaren said having responded to God’s calling, Bishop Beleme came with a personal story that whilst deeply rooted in the Setswana culture, gave him a good appreciation of the wider church and the world.

Meanwhile, Bishop Beleme also vowed before the congregation that he would live a Christ-centred life and would become a man of ordinary people who would be free from arrogance and pompousity. He challenged the clergies to also submit to Jesus’ authority.

Bishop Beleme was born in 1962, and is married with three children. A trained artisan electrician, he worked for Jwaneng Mine from 1986-1989. ENDS