24 Feb 2014

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has appealed to the church to pray against social ills such as rape and defilement.

Speaking at the induction of Father Botshabelo Beleme of the Anglican Church in Francistown on February 23, Mr Moatlhodi said churches played a role in ensuring the wellbeing of the nation and should therefore pray against societal ills.

He noted that the love that was preached in the bible extended to interceding for one another. “If you love one another you will have compassion for the person which will result in you not harming her in any way”, he said.

Mr Moatlhodi, who is also Tonota South MP, noted that the most worrying factor was that some clergymen also raped members of their congregation instead of praying for them.

He noted that the church was one  of the institutions that could help government bring answers to challenges that the society faced and should therefore not be seen as worsening or contributing to the problems.

Earlier, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Botswana, Mr Metlhayotlhe Beleme encouraged Father Beleme not to put the name of the church to shame, to treat members of the congregation equally and be open to constructive criticism.

Bishop Beleme said Father Beleme will be the Rector of the Francistown Parish and also the Archdeacon of the North.

He explained that he will be responsible for the north part of the country starting from Serule up to the Zimbabwean and Zambian borders. Father George Callender noted that faithfulness to God and loyalty are the most important attributes that pastors should have.

He encouraged Father Beleme to promote unity of the congregation and the parish as a whole. For his part, the newly inducted minister, Father Beleme assured the congregation that he will avail himself to them and God.

He said his achievements will be dependent on the help of God, the parish and the Bishop. Father Beleme noted that some of his top priorities will be to work towards the completion of some projects in the parish. ENDS