CATHOLIC Bishop of Gaborone Boniface Setlalekgosi says his office has never received any report of sexual abuse or rape of a member of the Calvary sisters by a Catholic priest.
Bishop Setlalekgosi was commenting on last week's report in the Guardian newspaper, alleging that the problem of rape and sexual abuse of nuns by Catholic priests was rife in 23 countries, including Botswana.
He said the superior general of the local congregation of sisters, Sister Theresa Lesetedi, and himself were both not aware of Sister Maura O' Donohue's visit.
The report claimed that priests at times demanded sex in exchange for favours, such as permission or certification to work in a given diocese.
On this score, Setlalekgosi said, "the Sisters of Calvary are a highly qualified group of religious people and while receiving support from the diocese, are mainly self-supporting and do not depend on the priests of the diocese for financial support".
The bishop said the Sisters of the Calvary and the priests of the diocese were hurt and embarrassed by the allegations.
He added that he has asked for evidence and details of specific alleged sexual abuses from the Apostolic Delegate in Pretoria, South Africa.
The bishop told BOPA that the church intends to investigate whether such an investigation was the one mentioned in the newspaper and to establish who authorised it.
Setlalekgosi, however, said that he would take appropriate action if he receives any evidence of sexual abuse of the Sisters of Calvary by Catholic priests.