By Paschal Norbert

FRANCISTOWN, APRIL 14, 2026 (CISA)- The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Fr. Lawrence Ofentse Pheto of the Diocese of Gaborone as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Francistown in Botswana.

Msgr Pheto, upon consecration will become the third Local Ordinary of the Diocese and the first indigenous to lead the diocese, succeeding the late Bishop Anthony Pascal Rebello SVD, who died unexpectedly on May 4, 2024.

At the time of his appointment, Bishop-elect Pheto was serving as Parish Priest of St. Theresa Parish in Lobatse and as Judicial Vicar for the Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal in the Diocese of Gaborone.

Born on March 12, 1976, in Ramotswa in the Diocese of Gaborone, Bishop-elect Pheto undertook his priestly formation in philosophy and theology at Chishawasha Major Seminary in Harare. He was ordained a priest on October 8, 2005, and incardinated into the Diocese of Gaborone.

Over the years, he has held a range of pastoral and academic responsibilities. Shortly after his ordination, he served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Theresa’s in Lobatse before being appointed Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish in Gaborone from 2006 to 2008. He later served as Rector of Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary in Gaborone.

Between 2009 and 2012, he pursued a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University. Upon his return, he was appointed Parish Priest of Tsholofelong Parish in Tlokweng, a role he held until 2014, before returning as Rector of Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary until 2017.

Since 2017, he has been serving as Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Parish in Lobatse while also undertaking duties as Judicial Vicar, contributing significantly to the Church’s matrimonial tribunal apostolate.

Speaking following news of his appointment, Bishop-elect Pheto described the call as both humbling and demanding.

“It is a humbling reality to hear that one has been given such an overwhelming and challenging role,” he said in an interview with the communications office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC).

In the interview, he reflected on his priestly vocation, the role of his family in nurturing his faith, and his experience in ecclesiastical tribunal ministry, expressing hope for the continued growth and pastoral vitality of the Diocese of Francistown.