Ghanaian SVD Priest Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Francistown Diocese

A Ghanaian SVD priest and member of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) serving in Botswana, Rev. Father Gabriel Lionel Afagbegee, S.V.D., has been named the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Francistown. This appointment, effective from 22 May 2024, was made by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Father Afagbegee, born in 1953 in Ghana, will oversee the diocese sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, meaning “the seat being vacant and at the disposition of the Holy See.” He was ordained in 1982 in Ghana and has extensive experience working in Botswana, with periods from 1982-1991 and 1994-2001. He also served in South Africa starting in 2001.

The announcement was made public by the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa and comes weeks after the sudden death of Most Rev. Anthony Pascal Rebello, Bishop of the Diocese.

Bishop Rebello, 74, passed away on Saturday, May 4, after collapsing during Mass. The Kenyan-born member of the Society of the Divine Word of Indian origin had celebrated his birthday on March 18. His death was confirmed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Francistown.

Father Afagbegee was a former Director of the Lumko Pastoral Institute in Johannesburg and, until recently, served as the Parish Priest in the Diocese of Francistown, overseeing areas including Tati Siding and Tonota.

He holds a Doctor of Literature & Philosophy (DLitt et Phil) in Communication Science from St. Victor’s Seminary, with academic experiences at the University of Ghana, the University of the Philippines, and the University of South Africa.

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An experienced parish priest, Father Afagbegee has a demonstrated history of working in religious institutions, with skills in research, management, strategic planning, leadership development, and teaching.

His leadership as Apostolic Administrator is expected to guide the local Catholic community through this period of mourning and transition, ensuring the continuity of ecclesiastical governance and pastoral care in the Diocese of Francistown.