Botswana: The Faithful of Francistown mourn the sudden death of Bishop Rebello SVD

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City.

In a Saturday afternoon statement, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Francistown confirmed the passing of Bishop Rebello, who was 74 years old.

In honour of the Marian month of May

Divine Word (SVD) priest Fr Gabriel Afagbegee, who was hosting the Bishop in his parish though the Bishop was staying at Johane Mokolobetsi—an Outstation of the main parish—said Bishop Rebello’s sudden death was “unexpected. He hadn’t been sick nor complained about anything amiss, health-wise,” he said.

Narrating the turn of events, Fr Gabriel explained that on Saturday morning, Bishop Rebello, in the company of the Catholic faithful of Johane Mokolobetsi Outstation, undertook a 20 Kilometre Rosary Walk that they had been planning to do in honour of the Marian month of May. They walked from the Johane Mokolobetsi outstation at Tati Siding to the Marian Grotto at the main parish centre grounds at Tonota in the Diocese of Francistown.

“This morning (Saturday), the Bishop and the members of Johane Mokolobetsi started the Rosary Walk around 06.00, praying the Rosary all along the way. Arriving at the grotto, all gathered to celebrate the Eucharist to conclude the prayer walk,” said Fr Gabriel. It was during the Mass that the Bishop felt unwell and was attended to. He was taken to the parish house and then to a clinic in the village. A doctor was called. The doctor pronounced Bishop Rebello dead. He had earlier been on oxygen-assisted breathing.

Genuine humility and Simplicity

In a message of condolences, Chargé d’affaires ad interim, at the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa, Monsignor Dario Pavisa, representing the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinsji, extolled Bishop Rebello for “his genuine humility and simplicity.” He also said that Bishop Rebello, despite “his unassuming demeanor, displayed unwavering resolve and resoluteness in proclaiming the Word of God.”

For his part, Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) President, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka said: “The news of the unexpected passing away of Bishop Anthony Rebello reached us. We are shocked and sad about this news. On behalf of the SACBC, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Diocese of Francistown, the Society of Divine Word, and his biological family. May all be consoled by the fact that Bishop Rebello was a humble man of strong and exemplary faith who we believe is now in the company of his Risen Lord. May you all be consoled, and may Bishop Rebello rest in peace,” said the SACBC President.

Botswana is a member of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference.

A native of Goa born in Kenya

On 5 July 2021, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Anthony Rebello, referred to in some circles as Bishop Tony, as the Local Ordinary of Botswana’s Diocese of Francistown. He took over from Archbishop Franklyn Atese Nubuasah SVD, who was transferred to the Diocese of Gaborone in 2019.

Before becoming Bishop of Francistown, Rebello served as parish priest of the Holy Cross Mogoditshane Parish of Gaborone Diocese in Botswana.

He began his ministry as an SVD missionary to Botswana in 2003.

Bishop Rebello, who hails from Fatorda, Goa, was born on 18 March 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya. He entered the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in 1969, completing his novitiate in Khurda, Madhya Pradesh, India. He was ordained a priest in Goa on 10 May 1977.