02 Oct 2013

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Botswana, Metlhayotlhe Beleme says Christianity is nowadays faced with a number of challenges that result in lack of peace among Christians.

Speaking at the Anglican Botswana Guilds annual conference in Tonota over the Independence holidays, Bishop Beleme noted with concern that technological advancement has resulted in challenges such as Satanism. He said through technology, it is easy for the current generation to be initiated into beliefs such as Satanism that results in lack of peace in both its believer and the Christian community.

The Anglican Bishop also said the mushrooming of churches that promise Batswana wealth and marriages are also a concern that needs prayers. He also called on Anglican followers to pray for their churches around the world. Bishop Beleme said recently Anglicans were killed at the Pakistan Diocese while in Nigeria an Anglican Bishop was kidnapped.
He also said Kenya should be kept in prayers for God to intervene and grant peace.

“Conferences should not be only about travelling and meeting, but you should pray for other nations and your country as well so that God can intervene and grant solutions to challenges that we face.” For his part, Father Francis Aidoo of the Roman Catholic Church implored all Christians to pray for world peace and for all leaders.

Tonota South Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Pono Moatlhodi called on the church to pray for social ills such as murder and rape.

Furthermore, he said a prison term is not a permanent solution to these problems because after serving their sentences, many convicts come back to commit similar offences. Mr Moatlhodi also implored the church to encourage men to play an equal role in raising children so that they can learn to appreciate that the next person deserves love in life.

On other issues, the MP, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, commended Bishop Beleme on his appointment as the Bishop of the Diocese of Botswana three months ago. He said Anglicans in Botswana should respect him so that other nations can respect him as well.
Anglicans were also called upon to protect the values of the church.

The Deputy School head of Letlhabile Junior Secondary, where the conference was held,  Ms Keatlaretse McLeod said schools nowadays are faced with a variety of problems including drug and alcohol abuse, and indiscipline among the students. Ms McLeod implored the church to unite with parents and schools in raising responsible citizens. Foe his part, Kgosi Goitsheka Hetanang appreciated the conference, saying Anglicans should join the rest of Batswana in praying for rain.

Kgosi Hetanang also called on the particpants to pray for HIV and AIDS, and other social ills such as passion killings.
The theme of the four day Guilds Conference was “For I know the plans I have for you, thus says the Lord,” a scripture from Jeremiah 29:11-14. ENDS