Aid to the Church in Need: Rwanda: Help for the training of 62 seminarians in Byumba

Rwanda: Help for the training of 62 seminarians in Byumba

Posted by Project of the Week on 15/6/2009, 9:17 am
Board Administrator

RWANDA

Help for the training of 62 seminarians in the diocese of Byumba

Rwanda - when they hear this name, most people think first of the genocide in 1994. But there is also good news from this country, one of the poorest in Africa. In the one diocese of Byumba, in the north of the country, there are no fewer than 62 young men who have felt themselves called to the priesthood. However, the diocese has no seminary of its own, and so the young men – all with beautiful and ancient Christian names, such as "Bonaventure", "Théophile", "Emmanuel" – are obliged to study at various different seminaries, both within Rwanda and also in neighbouring Uganda. In the holidays they serve in the local parishes, so that they can also gain practical pastoral experience and learn about the work of a parish priest. Last year, the Year of St Paul, alongside the usual duties in the parishes, their work included the establishment and direction of Bible study groups and the preparation of the seventh Youth Forum in Byumba, in November.

Every year, at the end of the long holidays the diocese organises a meeting of all the seminarians, where they gather to share the experiences gained during their work in the parishes and to reflect together as to how they can improve their apostolate. At the same time they are able to familiarise themselves with the work of the diocesan Caritas structures and the Justice and Peace commission. Both are especially important in a country that has known extreme poverty and conflict between the various different ethnic groups. For these future priests this is therefore no mere interesting object of study, but a foundation stone for the future of their country.

In the course of their studies, the diocese has to fund the cost of their formation and travel expenses. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is helping with a grant of over $30,000. To help this cause please contact the Australian office of ACN on (02) 9679-1929. e-mail: info@aidtochurch.org or write to Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148. Web: www.aidtochurch.org

Priestly ordination in the diocese of Byumba
(Code: 145-02-79)

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Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148 ABN: 62 418 911 594
Ph/Fax (02) 9679-1929 e-mail: info@aidtochurch.org web: www.aidtochurch.org