“We know that there is no one else who can console them properly, except the Lord God. That is why we pray to Him so that in His mercy He can accomplish this without anyone opposing His will,” the Bishops say in their statement signed by CECAB Chairman, Bishop Joachim Ntahondereye.
They add, “We have the honor to express our communion with the suffering and sadness of Burundians and friends of Burundi following the unexpected death of H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi.”
The Bishops acknowledge with gratitude the late President Nkurunziza “for the many good things he accomplished for Burundi throughout his work as President of the Republic” and express their commitment to praying “for him so that God may give him the just reward for all the good he accomplished, granting him eternal happiness in his Kingdom.”
Son of a Catholic Hutu connected with the royal family, the late President Nkurunziza came to power in 2005 after receiving the backing of Burundi’s members of parliament.
He was re-elected in 2010 and in 2015 when he won a controversial third term despite opposition protests and international condemnation.
The late President was expected to hand over the leadership of the country in August to his political ally Evariste Ndayishimiye who won the May 20 general election that the Catholic Bishops in the country denounced alleging “many irregularities” and the opposition party contested at the constitutional court.
In line with the country’s constitution, the President of the National Assembly, Pascal Nyabenda is to head the East African nation until August when he is expected to hand over to the President-elect, Evariste Ndayishimiye.
A seven-day period of national mourning was declared in the country beginning Tuesday, June 8 and flags flown at half-mast during the entire period.
In their collective message, the Catholic Bishops implore God’s mercy for the deceased President saying, “May Almighty God grant him eternal rest full of peace and happiness, and may He keep us in tranquility at this time of suffering caused by his death, today and in the days to come.”
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
