Slideshow image

First women priests ordained in the Church of the Province of Central Africa

via Anglican Communion News Service

“May these newly ordained priests minister with love, integrity and boldness as they lead God’s people in worship, justice and hope,” wrote Bishop Vicentia Kgabe (Pretoria in the Church of Southern Africa), who preached at the service in Gaborone, Botswana.

The first women to be ordained as priests has been held in the Province of the Church of Central Africa. 14 women were ordained on May 17, 2026, at a service at the Anglican Holy Cross Cathedral in Gaborone, Botswana.

Present at the service were Dr Tshepo Motsepe (the First Lady of South Africa), the Most Revd Albert Chama (Archbishop of Central Africa, Bishop of Lusaka and Primate of the Church of the Province of Central Africa) as well as Bishops from the Dioceses of Matlosane (South Africa), Harare (Zimbabwe), Pretoria (South Africa), Botswana and from the Dioceses of North Carolina (The Episcopal Church) and Newcastle (Church of England), both of which are link dioceses with Botswana. There was also representation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Botswana.

Over many years, numerous motions to ordain women have been presented to the Provincial Synods of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA). In November 2023, a motion submitted by the Diocese of Botswana and seconded by the Diocese of Harare, that dioceses ready to ordain women should be allowed to proceed, was finally passed. 

The first woman to be ordained in the Diocese of Botswana and the Church in the Province of Central Africa was Revd Beauty Autlwetse (St Augustine, Serowe), followed in quick succession by Revd Lesedi Bahayesi, Revd Florence Bogopa, Revd Lesego Bosimele, Revd Onicah Lentshikang, Revd Ethel Matlala, Revd Margaret Mere, Revd Mercy Molefe, Revd Precious Tonny Mosarwe, Revd Dr Dijeng Motsepe-Lebatha, Revd Hildah Ncaagae-Tshabadira, Revd Gasetoro Ncube, Revd Bosinki Matlapeng-Ndzinge and Revd Mosetsanagape Sepora.