14 May 2024

Professionals Bishop Anthony Pascal Rebello of the Catholic Diocese of Francistown, will be buried May 15 at the church premises in Francistown.

The late Bishop, aged 74, will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Desert Cathedral Church in Francistown and funeral procession will start at 6am.

 Addressing a press conference to update the nation on the preparations of the final rites for the departed, Bishop Father Anthony Ngwenya yesterday, Father Ngwenya disclosed that Bishop Rebello met his demise on May 4, during a Rosary prayer session walk from Tati Siding to Tonota.

 His death sent shock waves through the Catholic community and beyond.

Father Ngwenya said the late Bishop left behind a legacy of love for God and neighbour and he would be remembered for his unwavering devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

He explained that during his episcopal ministry, the Bishop Rebello demonstrated his love for the poor, the sick and compassion for the refugees in immigration centres at Dukwi and Gerald Estate, ensuring that their human dignity was prioritised.

“He had a special devotion to Mother Mary through the holy rosary and organised rosary walks, especially with the youth to deepen their spiritual nourishment,” he said.

Father Ngwenya said they were expecting Bishops from countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe to attend the funeral.

Bishop Rebello, of Indian descent, was born in Kenya and later moved to India together with his parents.

In India, he joined the Missionaries of the Divine Word and was ordained to the priesthood in May 1977. 

He was then sent to study Licentiate in Spiritual Theology at Gregorian in Rome for two years. He arrived in Botswana as one of the first four missionaries of the divine word in 1981  and served in Maun and Palapye.

He was sent to Kenya and Angola and later came back and served in Metsimotlhabe and Mogoditshane. 

Bishop Rebello  founded a hospice and his passion for the sick and the poor defined his pastoral ministry. 

He was later appointed Bishop of Francistown on July 2021 by his Holiness Pope Francis and was ordained on September 2021 by Archbishop Frank Nubuasah.  Bokhutlo