GABORONE – Botswana and the Holy See, the universal government of the Catholic Church from the Vatican City State, established diplomatic relations early this month.
Mrs Motlhagodi Molomo, Botswana’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Mr James Patrick Green, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to South Africa, signed a joint communiqué on the establishment of the diplomatic relations.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs Molomo noted during the signing ceremony that the establishment of diplomatic relations marked a consolidation of a relationship that started almost 50 years ago.
She noted that the Roman Catholic Church established the Apostolic Prefecture of Bechuanaland in April 1959.
Mrs Molomo further said “over the last 49 years, the Catholic church has grown, not only in its contribution towards the spiritual development of the Botswana nation, but also in terms of active participation in social development programmes.”
The release stated that to date, the Catholic church has established nine primary schools, two health clinics, a pre-school in Kgalagadi District and a home-based care facility due to be opened before the end of the year.
In his response, Mr Green noted that it was most fitting that after so many years of mutual respect and cooperation, Botswana and the Holy See made formal a relationship which had in many ways already been tried and tested.
The release also states that Mr Green observed that the signing ceremony revealed clearly the intention of both parties to maintain and strengthen the bonds which exist between them. BOPA
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