Botswana VP Underscores The Need To Regulate Churches

Botswana’s Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi (Photo: APA)

Botswana’s Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Monday that in recent years the country has been faced with a challenge of the mushrooming of new churches, some of which may have motives other than that of spreading the gospel of the Lord. Recently Parliament passed the Society Act Amendment Bill into law which makes it compulsory for churches to have at least 250 members before they could be registered.

Speaking at the Apostolic Faith Mission Honorarium Ceremony in the capital Gaborone, Masisi said it is debatable whether some faith missions should be called churches, adding that this should be understood as a challenge to the church, as well as society as a whole.

“From Government’s perspective there is thus a need set minimum standards for registration of religious societies, which should not be seen as impediment to anyone’s freedom to practice their faith” said Masisi.

“The role of the Church is thus aligned to our outlook as a Nation. This synergy will guide us in pursuing our dreams as articulated in Vision 2016,” Masisi added.