In a historic move, the Anglican Diocese of Botswana has ordained its first female deacons at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone on May 4, 2025. This significant event marked the culmination of a ten-year advocacy period for gender equality in the church, led by the Rt. Rev. Metlhayotlhe Beleme, who officiated the ordination of eight women.
While Botswana’s synod approved the ordination of women over a decade ago, it wasn’t until 2023 that the provincial synod gave the green light for individual dioceses to move forward with these ordinations. This recent event follows Botswana’s efforts to withdraw from the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) to align with the Anglican Church in Southern Africa, following decisions from dioceses in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to establish national provinces during the last provincial synod.
Bishop Beleme addressed the congregation, expressing hope that the newly ordained deaconesses would take on their pastoral roles effectively, stating, “The question of ordination of women has in the past created a controversy of how African Christian women faced multiple sexism and theological obstacles to ordination… but to us it is now water under the bridge while I shall proudly confer our sisters to officially administer the sacrament and proclaim the gospel of God to the flock effectively.” He emphasized the need for these deaconesses to assist in invigorating evangelism across Botswana.
The ordination service featured the Rt. Rev. Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, as the preacher, alongside the Rt. Rev. Vicentia Kgabe, Bishop of Lesotho.
As of May 2025, the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea, and the Anglican Church of Southeast Asia maintain restrictions against female deacons. Although the CPCA allows for the ordination of women, Botswana stands as the only diocese to actively implement this policy thus far. In contrast, provinces like Myanmar permit women clergy but have yet to conduct any ordination ceremonies.
