The ordinations took place earlier this month at the Anglican Holy Cross Cathedral in Gaborone, marking the first time women have been ordained to the priesthood in the province.
The service was attended by Dr Tshepo Motsepe, the First Lady of South Africa, and Most Rev Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa, Bishop of Lusaka and Primate of the Church of the Province of Central Africa.
Bishops from across the region and beyond were also present, including representatives from dioceses in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United States and the Church of England, as well as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Botswana.
The decision follows years of debate within the province. In November 2023, a motion from the Diocese of Botswana, seconded by the Diocese of Harare, was passed, allowing dioceses ready to ordain women to proceed.
Among those ordained were the first women priests in the Diocese of Botswana and the wider province, including the Rev Beauty Autlwetse, followed by 13 others ordained in quick succession.
Archbishop Albert Chama said that the moment reflected “God’s time” and expressed gratitude for the long wait, noting that what had been hoped for had now been realised. For the bishop of Botswana, the service was a "defining moment" and a "major turning point for the Church in the country".
The Bishop of Pretoria, who preached at the service, said: "Priesthood is an invitation into servanthood… The world often associates leadership with power, status and visibility but the Church must never forget that its saviour washed feet before he carried the cross… May you, my sisters, become shepherds after the heart of Christ."
Rev Canon Dr Rachel Mash described the day as an “amazing day”, adding: "Praise God that doors are now opening. Some of these sisters have been waiting for 10 years and some have reached retirement age. Nothing is impossible with God!"
The ordination of women as priests is now widely permitted across the Anglican Communion, though not universally consistent. In most of the Communion’s 42 provinces, women can be ordained and serve as priests, particularly across Europe, the Americas and parts of Africa and Asia. However, a small number of provinces continue not to ordain women to the priesthood, while others permit it only in some dioceses.