Retired Bishop Setlalekgosi Still Preaching
Sonny Serite | Monday August 10, 2015 15:07
He even serves as some kind of research officer for his successor, Bishop Valentine Seane, who asks him from time to time to do research work for him.
That is the picture that came out as I met the retired bishop at his retirement home at Kgale Siding, St Joseph’s.
I showed up at the retired Bishop Setlalekgosi’s house at St Joseph’s without any prior arrangement. I pinned my luck on the knowledge a man of God would not turn me away. His helper ushers me into a plush office in the house and in the next room I hear a voice, “Do I have a visitor?” It is Bishop Setlalekgosi enquiring. He comes into the office and I rise from the seat to greet him. I introduce myself and explain the purpose of my visit. He smiles when I tell him I want to write about him while he is still alive and not after his departure as that would be the time when many would be scrambling for space in the newspapers with eulogies. Who is Bishop Setlalekgosi? I ask and he responds, “I am Bishop Boniface Tshosa Setlalekgosi and was born on 14 September 1927 in Serowe”. Though born in Serowe, Bishop Setlalekgosi grew up in Mmaphashalala. He did his schooling at St Joseph’s College where he now lives as a retired bishop.
He is survived by only one sister as the rest have all made it through the pearly gates. This octogenarian exudes so much energy the only thing that perhaps gives away his old age is his low, hardly audible and staggered voice. The retired 88-year-old catholic has dedicated all his life to the Roman Catholic Church and even in retirement, he is still volunteering his services to the church. I ask what he has been up to since he retired in February 2009 and he tells me he is now working as a resource reserve for Seane who succeeded him. “I assist the bishop with whatever he delegates me to do and he often comes to me for wisdom and guidance”, Setlalekgosi tells me. He says he is now in charge of the satellite Roman Catholic Church in Taung, just near Ramotswa where he offers sermons on Sundays.
On being asked if at all Africa will ever produce a Pope, Setlalekgosi is optimistic. “You must remember that the Roman Catholic Church never had its origins in Africa but now the continent has become a very visible part of the church and the fact that we now see the church ordaining Popes that are not Italian, gives us hope Africa will one day have its chance”, he says, displaying a smile that reads self-consolation.
One of the books on his desk leads me to find out about his views on marriage. The book is titled ‘Marriage, a spiritual journey’ authored by Kathy Heskin. “I fully support and encourage the institution of marriage as it was created by God”, he says and I ask why then doesn’t the Catholic Church allow its priests to marry. “The church feels being a priest is a full-time and demanding job that requires undivided attention. Marriage requires the same attention and dedication and as such you can’t do both at the same time”, he reasons. I give him ‘that’ look and probably sensing that I’m not convinced with his reasoning, he adds, “It is a personal choice and sacrifice that no one is forced to take”. This therefore means Bishop Setlalekgosi is single and has no children. Another book that appears to be his current read is titled ‘New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies’. I enquire about the books and he tells me he is reading the books in preparation for the Sunday sermon at Taung. “I need to be prepared before I get to the pulpit”, he emphasises. How is he associated with Setlalekgosi Junior Secondary School in Francistown?
He co-founded what was then a study group and when it came to naming the institution, his fellow founders unanimously agreed that the school must be named after him as an honour to his selfless contribution to the education sector. A reserved and humbled soul that he is, Setlalekgosi says he was initially not comfortable with the school being named after him but succumbed to pressure from his colleagues. “I’m truly honoured and humbled by the recognition of that magnitude”, says the bishop.
Setlalekgosi was appointed bishop in 1981 and ordained in 1982 in a historic move that saw him becoming the first Motswana bishop and the only second in the history of the Catholic Church in Botswana after succeeding Bishop Urban Murphy who died on 27 February 1981 in a hospital in Johannesburg. I t was at the funeral of the late Bishop Murphy that in his message of tribute as the Head of State then, the former President Sir Ketumile Masire made an impassioned plea to the Church for localisation at a time when most eminent positions were held by non-Batswana clergy.
The Vatican subsequently appointed Bishop Setlalekgosi but pointed out that the appointment was done according to Church process and not necessarily because he was a citizen. Former President Masire has been quoted in the media as later having described Bishop Setlalekgosi as a great man whose calling is signified by discipline, dedication, devotion and determination. I ask about his views on local politics and he says the nation should pray that the prevailing peace and tranquillity that we enjoy remains. He however admits the political environment in Botswana has changed but says it is nothing to be worried about. “As a nation, when we grow so does our differences and the most important thing is for people to tolerate difference of opinion”, he offers words of wisdom. As we wrap up the interview I ask to photograph him but he asks for a few minutes so he can go to the bedroom and wear a jacket. After taking a few shots, I thank him and as he walks me out of his office he directs me to a fruit basket in the dining room and implores me to grab a fruit on my way out so I can munch on the way. I grab a green apple and think, after all, not all apples are forbidden like the one Eve gave to Adam.