Priest celebrates silver jubilee

ARNOLD LETSHOLO
Correspondent | Friday December 14, 2007 00:00

 

Coincidentally, 25 years ago in Ghana, a predominantly Catholic state, on the same date, a 25-year-old man was ordained as a priest.

Twenty-five years down the line, Fr. William Serlom Horlu now heads the Catholic Women's Association's Mafulong Day Care Centre at St Peter's Parish, Gabane, as director.

No wonder there was merriment at the parish compounds last Saturday, as the Catholic faithful celebrated what he termed '25 years of his marriage to Mother Church and Jesus Christ'.

The humorous Fr Willie, as he is passionately called by his flock, shook his body like an African dancer and expressed in 'that' accent, 'Ke monyadi ha kere?' to loud shouts of 'Amen'' when he took the podium to address his audience, followed by dancing, ululations and presentation of gifts.

The Bishop of Gaborone, Boniface Setlalekgosi, who celebrated his own silver jubilee as bishop earlier this year, expressed his delight at the achievements of his subordinate. Of his humility Setlalekgosi said:

'Father William is one of those priests whom the bishop can call any time to assign knowing that he would not ask questions. I remember one incident when he had to go on leave. Everything was prepared for him to go, including securing the bookings for his flights.

A problem erupted here in Gabane. It apparently did not go well with you Gabane parishioners since you thought he might have said bad things of his predecessor. I told him the problem and asked him to stay. He did without arguments.'

Fr William himself said of his overwhelming joy: 'A ntshita a le tlhaeng (I fail to speak though I have a mouthful to say)'.

He said his name means 'God loves me'. This, he asserted, was fully reflected in his life since he has encountered few difficulties in his career as a priest.

He said he was a successful priest because of the support of the congregation as well as other priests. His father died three years after he was ordained a priest.

But his great motivation comes from his 83-year-old mother who walks unsupported and sees without the aid of glasses.

'My mother is a saint. If no one declares her a saint I will,' he said as ululations and shouts of 'Amen' reverberated throughout the hall.

'My mother used to wake us up as early as 4.30am to pray. She awoke both the young and the old.

Even today she wakes up early to attend early morning services. She frequently calls me to know how I execute my duties as a priest, thus motivating me.'

He said their stay in Botswana has been comfortable because of Bishop Setlalekgosi's fatherly love, care and support. He said Batswana parishioners also treat them with brotherhood and sisterhood.

To support his choice of life - celibacy - that Catholic priests are criticised for, Fr Willie said it was because of the love he had, and has, for all parishioners that he decided to stay celibate. He said he 'could have found a beautiful woman and still can' but decided to commit his life to serving God and the people.

The event attracted many priests, nuns and church councils from various local and overseas dioceses. Attorney General, Dr Athalia Molokomme also attended Fr William's silver jubilee. (Sila Press Agency)