18/08/2021
We are pleased to share with you the Coat of Arms for the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Francistown. The Coat of Arms will be in force immediately when the Bishop elect takes canonical possession of the Diocese in September 4th 2021 during his episcopal ordination in Francistown.
THE SHIELD: The shield has the cross at the center with the Sacred Heart of
Jesus that was pierced with the spear from which blood and water flowed
(John 19:34), it symbolises the Divine Mercy. The cross is represented by the
colours of the Botswana flag, calling the People of God of Botswana to be
soaked in the Mercy of the Father and being merciful towards others (Luke
6:36).
The top left of the shield has the Word of God. The Word of God (Logos) which
is Jesus himself, who from the beginning was with God and who is God (John
1:1). The Word of God ‘which is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path’
guides, orients and illuminates the mission, which every faithful is called to be.
(Psalm 119:105).
The top right of the shield has the Eucharist, the source and summit of
Christian life and mission, is an invitation to Christians to partake in His Body
and Blood as ‘whoever eats the flesh of Jesus and drinks the blood of Jesus,
abides in Jesus and Jesus abides in him/her (John 6:56). This ‘abiding’ is the
source and sign of unity, which we are all called to celebrate to bring about
healing, solidarity and peace in the broken and egoistic world.
The left bottom of the shield has the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of all
humanity holding the Rosary, the most powerful weapon for communion in
the families and against the evil in our society. It includes the well-known
wilderness and the wildlife of the country of Botswana. It also depicts the
music, dance and singing which are an integral part of everyday activities and
modern day ceremonies in Botswana. May the Mother of all humanity
intercede for the People of God of Botswana to interact with the nature and
the culture with the evangelizing mission.
The bottom right of the shield shows the touching and teaching image of the
Servant Leadership of Christ, where Christ challenges us to imitate Him to
serve life, especially life which is fragile, marginalised, sick and in need of
compassion and care (John 13:14).
The wheat around the shield symbolizes the fertility of the earth, renewal,
rebirth and abundance. To Christians wheat represents the body of Christ, and
is therefore symbolic of immortality and resurrection. ‘Truly, truly, I tell you,
unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed;but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (John 12:24). It is a reminder for us that only
when we die to our ego can we bear abundant fruits. Our lives are not about
us but they belong to God and it is Hope in the Resurrection of Christ that fires
our commitment and availability.
The episcopal motto is ‘called to serve’ (Vocantur ad servitium praestandum).
As it is written in 1 Peter 4:11 each of us is called to serve one another. ‘If
anyone serves, s/he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all
things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Him be glory and power
forever and ever, Amen’. ‘If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I
am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honour
him’ (John 12:26).
Bishop Elect Anthony Pascal Rebello has chosen the motto 'Called to Serve' as he
believes that he is the chosen steward of the manifold graces of God (1 Peter
4:10). He is chosen (called) to be sent, sent on the mission of service, at the
service of the People of God by listening to their cry, by responding with the
Word of God, by nourishing at the Altar of the Mass and by initiatives of peace
and justice with the People of good will for the care of humanity and nature.
