Gabane hosts ordination of own son

ARNOLD LETSHOLO
Correspondent | Friday July 25, 2008 00:00

Firstly, it was this month that after 14 years that the new President, Ian Khama, visited the village. Secondly, for the first time since the village was founded in 1842, Gabane will host the ordination of one of its sons as a Catholic priest. The programme includes the consecration of Moarabi Molefe of Metsimotlhabe as a deacon at St. Peter's Catholic Church in the village.  

Organisers say the event is expected to attract more than 2,500 visitors from within and outside Botswana.

Decorations are ready. By Wednesday the slaughtering of beasts for the celebration had started. By yesterday a big tent had been pitched in the church compound as the ordination will be celebrated outside the chapel.

The parish priest, Fr William Horlu, has been advising parishioners to work hard to make the day a huge success.

'No one from here should expect to be served on the 26th. It should be you who should serve the people. This is the first time you will be having a priest from your midst, so prove that you are happy. Be joyous even in singing and dancing during that celebration,' he told the congregation.

The candidate, Reverend Lenius Linus Lekgowa Rankgomo, 28, was born and bred in Gabane. At the time of going to press he was still in retreat in preparation for his great day. He completed both his primary and secondary education in Gabane.

He began his seminary training in Human and Spiritual Formation in 2000 at Mazowe, Zimbabwe. In 2001 he moved to Bulawayo for philosophy studies. Thereafter he went to Harare to study theology.

Early this year, Reverend Rankgomo was ordained as deacon. Bishop Boniface Setlalekgosi, the Bishop of the Gaborone diocese, will conduct the ordination.
(Sila Press Agency)