Written by Daisy Dube
Monday, 15th February 2010, 14:27
On February 14, more tan 2000 people including Bishops, clergy and an laity from around Southern Africa and beyond gathered in the St Joseph College auditorium in Gaborone, Botswana to witness the consecration of Bishop-elect Lebaleng Jacob Selwane as the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)'s Botswana Diocese. Amongst dignitaries present were the Botswana Government Representatives, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana Presiding Bishop Dr Moenga who is also Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) President, Bishop Dr JM Ramashapa, LUCSA Executive Director, Archbishop J Paarm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland; Bishop T Mwamba of the Anglican Diocese of Botswana; former Secretary General of the Botswana Council of Churches and Mr J Modiega.
The ceremony was conducted by ELCSA's Acting Presiding Bishop Dr NP Phaswana, who encouraged the new Bishop to continue being a firm leader and attend to the challenges facing the church and society. He further encouraged him to reconcile God's people.
Delivering a sermon from John 6:1-12, the new Bishop offered solace to the congregation by encouraging them to trust in God even in difficult situations because 'if God brings you to it, He will take you through it. Nothing is impossible with God' he said.
ELCSA, LUCSA, ELCF and the ecumenical community welcomes the new Bishop with open arms and are looking forward to walking and working with him.
Bishop Selwane takes over from Rt Rev Dr JM Ramashapa who joined LUCSA in 2009.
