The apparitions continued, with the Blessed Virgin appearing to two other students at the College one after another, in conformance with Alphonsine: Nathalie Mukamazimpaka, from January 12th, 1982 and Marie Claire Mukangango,; from March 2nd, 1982.
Most of the messages given by Our Lady of Kibeho to the visionaries focused on repentance, conversion, and the importance of prayer and suffering, particularly the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows.
Bwana Chui, on his part, was born on 13 June 1981 in DRC’s city of Goma where he was abducted and martyred in the same Congolese city on 8 July 2007 for standing up against corruption.
Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi will be beatified on 15 June 2025 in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media
On 25 November 2024, the late Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of Bwana Chui and authorized the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to publish the decree announcing his beatification.
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The young Martyr was beatified on June 15 in Rome for his courageous witness of faith and integrity, and the University of Goma, his alma mater, has announced plans to construct a peace hall in memory.
In his address, Cardinal Kambanda urged the people of God in Rwanda to prioritize the spiritual formation and empowerment of young people, describing them as the key to the future of the Church.
He made reference to the 12-point roadmap unveiled by SECAM to guide the African Church in the next 25 years, specifically the one on youths, saying, “the vision of our Church in the last 25 years is to bless the youth, evangelization of the youth.”
“This is a very important goal from our Church,” he said at the Plenary that was between July 30 and August 4, and added, “Young people, you are our hope.”
“These youths are our hope. Let us present them to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to bless them, they are our future in the next 25 years. Our vision is to bless the youth,” he added.
The Cardinal reflected on the significant presence of over 20, 000 young people at the event, noting that their involvement is a clear sign of the vital role youth play in the Church’s mission.
Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo who presided over the closing Mass for the SECAM event reiterated Cardinal Kambanda’s sentiments, further cautioning the youths against taking part in corruption.
Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, the President of SECAM, blessed pilgrims to Our Lady of Kibeho in Rwanda at conclusion of Africa's Catholic Bishops' Plenary Assembly on Sunday, 3 August 2025. Credit: ACI Africa
Urging young African people to emulate Bwana Chui, Cardinal Ambongo said the young college graduate “is as young as you; most of you are young.”
Bwana Chui, the Congolese Cardinal observed, did not betray his Christian commitment. “His testimony is the sign that Christian life includes such a risk but also such a joy to witness to the good love up to the death,” he said.
In an interview with ACI Africa at the SECAM Plenary Assembly, a Catholic Nun from DRC encouraged young Africans to persevere in building their dreams rather than following political instruments for easy money.
Sr. Melpomene Kayiba said that most young people in Africa are still facing an unemployment crisis, which puts them in a position to be exploited by politicians.
“When I go back to Goma, I will tell people, especially young people, to never follow the political instrument, because the political people sometimes don’t show the reality to the young people. The young people need money. When they receive money, they can say everything bad about other people,” Sr. Kayiba said in the interview with ACI Africa on Sunday, August 4.
The member of the Congregation of the Catholic Sisters of the Divine Savior (SDS) underscored the importance of peace in both Africa and Madagascar, urging all the people of God in the region to “start living in peace.”
She also urged youths, especially young men, to share and explain the concept of peace with their peers to promote prosperity and growth on both continents.
“Peace is very good for young people. It is very important for the world, especially in Africa and Madagascar,” the catholic Nun said.
Sr. Kayiba lauded the SECAM 20th Plenary Assembly, saying that the celebration exemplified unity, urging young people to learn to embrace togetherness in both Africa and Madagascar, just like the church leaders.
Narrating her experience at the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho, Sr.Kayiba said that the event was “very interesting because it’s the time of prayer, the time of living together and sharing what is concluding for the symposium for the Bishops and archbishops here in Africa and Madagascar.”
“For people and for all Christians, it is good to see all our Archbishops and Bishops saying something about the peace in Africa and Madagascar. And it is an example for the people to live together, share together, and give peace everywhere one will live,” she added.
Credit: ACI Africa
Fr. Dieudonné Iryivuze of the Catholic Diocese of Kibungo, Rwanda also shared his insights on the event which he described as “solemn for everyone.”
“This day was really good and impressive because there were a lot of young people, a lot of Bishops. The mass was really solemn for everyone,’ he said.
The Catholic Priest expressed hope in the future of the Catholic Church in Africa owing to the large number of young people who attended the plenary that was held on the theme, “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.”
ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.
Antoine Cardinal Kambanda. Credit: ACI Africa
Credit: ACI Africa
Credit: Vatican Media
