'No Peace For Woman Priest'

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday May 19, 2008 00:00

 

Kgosiemang made history then as she became the first woman priest of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana.

But her consecration has been dogged by controversy  as some members of the church have always opposed her appointment. 

The issue of Kgosiemang's consecration nearly split the church as some of the faithful were even suspended over the matter. Although the church extended the olive branch to those who were against her ordination, a protracted wrangle ensued between the two parties. Apparently the issue of Kgosiemang's status has been debated in church circles for a long time but none of the parties is prepared to compromise. Congregants, who referred to themselves  as the 'concerned group', were opposed to her ordination as they felt that it was against the church order (constitution).  They argued that there is a section which bars the appointment  of women priests. Members of the 'rebel group' -  mostly women - said they wanted the provision in question to be amended first before women could be admitted as priests. The concerned group nearly  made an urgent  court  application to halt  the ordination ceremony. 

Even members of the royal family, including the late  Kgosi Linchwe II, were also against Kgosiemang's ordination.  Linchwe addressed a Kgotla meeting over the matter on the eve of the ordination.  Linchwe and members of the concerned group boycotted the ceremony, which was held on Saturday. But the event  went  ahead without incident. 

During the ceremony, one of the church elders, Reverend Wilson Kwenesa, warned their  detractors in no uncertain terms that kereke ya rona ga se botshamekelo (our church is not a playground).

The church insisted that  her consecration was not against the church constitution.  The defence of the church was that the clause that the concerned group was refereeing to deals with the appointment of deacons and church elders.

But members of the concerned group, who also boycotted Kgosiemang's sermons, did not leave matters lying down.  They proceeded to court to challenge her appointment. 

However, the High Court ruled in the church's favour that its constitution does not bar the appointment of women as priests. The concerned group appealed the ruling and their appeal was dismissed this year. Members of the concerned group have just reconciled with the rest of the congregation as they are back to attending church services.

But at the church, all was not well as the congregation members accused Rev Kgosiemang of ruling with an iron fist. As time went on, Kgosiemang fell out of favour with some of the members who were not happy with her leadership style.

Things got out of hand this year,  when Kgosiemang was prevented from delivering  a sermon by the youth. 

At some stage, the police had to be called in to restore order. Another accusation that was levelled against her was that she has allowed the church council to remain in office beyond their term.  She was also accused of allowing a person holding the position of elder to chair the council. Last year she failed to provide a service at the funeral of a youth member who was in membership subscription arrears. She did not even attend the funeral.

After this incident, the priest was accused of commercialising funerals. But apparently the resolution was made by the church that it should not bury people who were in arrears. Now the church has taken a drastic decision of firing Kgosiemang and sparks are expected to fly.  Kgosiemang was fired last week but she is unlikely to leave quietly.

When contacted over the weekend, Kgosiemang declined to comment as she was still following up some issues.  She said she would only make a comment at a later stage.

Dutch Reformed Church administrator Eskiah Mooketsi would also not comment on the grounds that he does not have details of the case.