Advertisement

Catholic Bishops in Rwanda Elect Cardinal to Head Their Conference

Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, elected President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR). Credit: Archdiocese of Kigali
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Kigali, 06 December, 2022 / 8:33 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholic Bishops in Rwanda have elected Antoine Cardinal Kambanda President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR).

In a December 2 statement, CEPR members say Cardinal Kambanda was elected at the end of their Plenary Assembly that was held in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali from November 29 to December 2.

The first-ever Cardinal in Rwanda is set to succeed Bishop Philippe Rukamba who has completed his three-year tenure.

“To assist Cardinal Kambanda as the Vice President is Bishop Vincent Harolimana of Ruhengeri Diocese,” CEPR members say.

The new CEPR advisers are Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza of Nyundo Diocese and Bishop Edouard Sinayobye of Cyangugu Diocese, CEPR members say about the officials elected for the next three years.

Advertisement

Born in November 1958, Cardinal Kambanda who studied in Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya was ordained a Priest on 8 September 1990 by St. John Paul II in his native Archdiocese of Kigali during the Pontiff’s visit to Rwanda. 

He was appointed Bishop of Kibungo Diocese in 2013 where he served for five years until his transfer and elevation as Archbishop of Kigali in 2018. His episcopal motto is “Ut vitam habeant’’ (That They May Have Life). 

On 16 December 2020, Cardinal Kambanda was appointed to the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP), whose members are responsible for coordinating the church’s missionary work.

The Local Ordinary of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese was made Cardinal alongside 12 others during the 28 November 2020 Consistory.

Jude Atemanke

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.

Trending

You may also like

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of...

An external view of the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem during the procession of the Franciscan friars after the first vespers of the Ascension solemnity on May 8, 2024. The procession circled the chapel three times. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics Ascend to Mount Olives, Site of Jesus’ Ascension, Only Day They Can Use Chapel Currently Under Muslim Control

“I’m excited to have come to pray in the actual place of the Ascension... I want to be closer to...

Pope Francis arriving at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024. / Vatican Media

Catholics in East Timor Welcome Pope Francis to their Island "oasis" of Religious Vocations

Speaking in Dili's cathedral, Pope Francis challenged East Timor's Catholic leaders to renew evangelization efforts, declaring that the nation's position...