AFRICA/RWANDA - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Kabgayi

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 21 January 2006 appointed Bishop of Kabgayi (Rwanda) Rev. Mgr. Smaragde Mbonyintege, Rector of Nyakibanda Major Seminary.
The new Bishop was born on 2 February 1947 at Rutobwe-Gitarama (Kabgayi). He attended primary school near the parish of Cyeza, then a secondary school at Byimana run by the Brothers of Christian Schools before entering Kigali minor seminary. He studied philosophy and theology at Nyakibando Major Seminary (1969-1975). He was ordained a priest on 20 July 1975 for the diocese of Kabgayi. He has since ministered as follows: assistant priest at Kabgayi parish and then Kamonyi parish; professor at St. Jean Minor Seminary in Kamonyi for late vocations; chaplain of the local Charismatic Group (1975-1977); rector of St. Jean minor seminary (1978-1989); Studies for a degree in spiritual theology at the Gregorian University in Rome (1979-1983); professor, spiritual director and vice-rector at Nyakibanda seminary; professor at the Inter-novitiate at Butare (1983-1997). Since 1997 rector of Nyakibanda Major Seminary. Since 2003 editor of Urumuri Kristu magazine (Light of Christ) of spirituality and theology.
The diocese of Kabgayi created in 1959, is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Kigali. It has an area of 2,187 sq., km., a population of over 912, 000 of whom 550,000 are Catholics gathered in 22 parishes, assisted by 114 priests (103 diocesan and 11 religious, numerous women religious and 63 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2006; Righe 20; Parole 250)