Latest stories: Rwanda

Seminary Rector Appointed Bishop of Rwanda’s Cyangugu Diocese

Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Edouard Sinayobye who has been serving as Rector of the preparatory Seminary of Nyumba in Rwanda’s Butare Diocese as the Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese in the country located in the Great Rift Valley.

Cardinal in Rwanda Appointed to Vatican’s Propaganda Fide

Rwanda’s Cardinal has been appointed to the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP), whose members are responsible for coordinating the church’s missionary work.

Rwanda’s President Rallies Citizens to Support Ministry of Country's First Cardinal

The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has rallied Rwandans to support the ministry of the country’s first Cardinal, Antoinne Kambanda, just as they have shared in the joy of his elevation to Cardinalate.

Fostering Family “as domestic church” to Remain Priority for Rwanda’s First Cardinal

The new Cardinal for Rwanda, the first-ever Cardinal in the landlocked Great Rift Valley East African nation, will continue to prioritize family apostolate in what he considers the rebuilding of “internal structures” that the country requires.

Caritas Internationalis Restoring Dignity of Thousands of Burundian Refugees in Rwanda

The leadership of the global confederation of Catholic relief agencies, Caritas Internationalis (CI), is helping restore the dignity of Burundian refugees in Rwanda’s Mahama Refugee Camp by striving toward their self-dependence.

Appointment of First Cardinal in Rwanda “great value for all, honor to Church”: President

A week after Pope Francis named Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese among 13 new Cardinals who are expected to be elevated to the rank on November 28, the President of the African nation in the Great Rift Valley, Paul Kagame has lauded the appointment saying it is “of great value for all Rwandans.”  

“It was a big surprise for me, I did not expect it”: Rwanda’s First Cardinal-elect

Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese, the only African Prelate among the 13 new Cardinals who were named Sunday, October 25 has described his appointment as “a big surprise” beyond his expectation.

African Prelate among 13 New Cardinals to be Created November 28, First-ever for Rwanda

Pope Francis on Sunday, October 25, named 13 new cardinals including Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese who is expected to become the first-ever Cardinal in the landlocked nation in the Great Rift Valley located at the convergence between African Great Lakes region and East Africa.

Site of Africa’s Only Vatican-Approved Marian Apparition Hosts International Rosary Event

Rwanda’s Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Kibeho, which is Africa’s only Vatican-approved site of a Marian apparition, played host to an online international Rosary prayer event held during the annual Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, an organizer of the event has told ACI Africa.

Rwandan Refugee Admits Starting Fire at France’s Nantes Cathedral

 A church volunteer has admitted to starting the fire at Nantes Cathedral and was charged with arson on Saturday.

Tanzania’s Former President Mourned as “a man of faith, a dedicated Pan-Africanist”

Tanzania’s former President Benjamin William Mkapa, a Catholic who was at the forefront of brokering peace deals during conflicts in Africa, is being eulogized as a “man of faith” and “a dedicated Pan-Africanist” following his death in the country’s largest city and former capital, Dar es Salaam.

Salesian-sponsored Multipurpose Hall in Tanzania “to meet needs of 1,700 students”

A new multipurpose hall under construction at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center located in Tanzania’s Archdiocese of Dodoma will be instrumental in meeting the needs of close to 1,700 students enrolled annually at the institution, the leadership of the U.S.-based Salesian Missions, which is the development arm of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), has announced in a report shared with ACI Africa.

Jesuits in Rwanda Donate Food Items to the Vulnerable, A Response to COVID-19 Challenges

As a response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, the leadership of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Rwanda has reached out to vulnerable families in the East African nation, donating food items through the Jesuit Urumuri Centre (JUC).

Church Leaders Across Africa Share Messages of Hope amid “silent Easter” Celebrations

Bishops in Africa have, individually and collectively, offered messages of hope to the people of God on the continent in their respective Easter messages amid “silent Easter” celebrations due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away,” Mum to Rwandan Gospel Singer at His Burial

The mother of the popular Rwandan Gospel singer who was found dead in a police cell just over a week ago entrusted her son to God during his funeral Mass in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, Saturday, February 22, finding solace in the words of Job in the Holy Scriptures, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.”

Rwandan Gospel Singer, Former Seminarian, 1994 Genocide Survivor, Dead in Police Cells

Kizito Mihigo, a popular gospel singer in the Central African nation of Rwanda who has been described as a “devout Catholic known for songs promoting healing and forgivingness” was Monday, February 17 morning, found dead in police cells in the country’s capital, Kigali.

Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda Bishops Reaffirm Commitment “to be witnesses, artisans of peace”

The Bishops at the helm of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC) that brings together heads of dioceses in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have, in their Ordinary session, reaffirmed their commitment to working for peace in their region faced with insecurity and political instability.

Continental Biblical Leadership Initiative Hails Application of Bible in Rwanda

At the 9th African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) forum in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, the application of scripture in the process of healing and reconciliation following the 1994 genocide has been recognized with appreciation as a model for other citizens of other countries to emulate.

Church in Rwanda Plans to Review Her Legacy toward Peace 25 Years after Genocide

As Rwanda continues to recover from memories of the 1994 genocide that was characterized with, among other issues, bitter memories of complacency from various quarters, the Catholic Church in this Central African nation is preparing to look back at her activities over the past 25 years in regard to witnessing to peaceful coexistence, a Rwandan Church leader has announced.