AFRICA/BOTSWANA - Appointment of Bishop of Francistown

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ofentse Pheto, of the clergy of the Diocese of Gaborone, as Bishop of the Diocese of Francistown (Botswana). He is currently Parish Priest of St. Theresa's in Lobatse and Judicial Vicar for the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. His Exc. Msgr. Lawrence Ofentse Pheto was born on March 12, 1976, in Ramotswa, Diocese of Gaborone. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Chishawasha Major Seminary in Harare, Zimbabwe. He was ordained a priest on October 8, 2005, and was incardinated in the Diocese of Gaborone. He has held the following positions: Assistant Parish Priest of St. Theresa's in Lobatse, Gaborone (2006); Parish Priest of the Holy Cross, Gaborone (2006-2008); Rector of the Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary, Gaborone (2008); Studies for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2009-2012); Parish Priest of Tsholofelong, Tlokweng, Gaborone (2012-2014); Rector of the Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary, Gaborone (2014-2017); since 2017, Parish Priest of St. Theresa in Lobatse, Gaborone, and Judicial Vicar for the Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 10/4/2026)