Archbishop Of Canterbury Visits Shyira Diocese

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Portal Welby and his wife Caroline Eaton Welby have visited Shyira Diocese.

Accompanied by Onesphore Rwaje, the Archbishop of Rwanda, the head of Anglican Communion in the world was on his way to Democratic Republic of Congo to conclude his African tour that had previously started with Southern Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda.

Archbishop Welby was received by the Bishop of Shyira Diocese The Rt, Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda and other diocesan dignitaries.

Other dignitaries included Samuel Mushimiyimana the vicar of the Cathedral and Jean Damascene Nsabimana the head of pastoral ministry.

He was showed around different projects in the diocese that include a commercial building NOVA MARKET COMPLEX, Muhabura Integrated Technical College yet to start, Sonrise High School and St. John The Baptist Cathedral.

Archbishop Welby praised Shyira Diocese for the work they have accomplished so far and encouraged bishop Mbanda to continue for a holistic development.

While at Sonrise High School, Archbishop Welby prayed for the students and told them that he had traveled for over 40 years in Africa and had not seen neat students like they were.

While touring the Diocese, Archbishop Welby was narrated all programs that Shyira Diocese has by Bishop Mbanda.

Bishop Mbanda told him that Sonrise was one of the success projects to contribute towards the education of Rwanda and how he is escalating his efforts to improve discipline and quality education of the school.

Archbishop Welby arrived in Rwanda Saturday 1^stFebruary 2014 on his a five-day visit to Rwanda to meet with his fellow Primates of the Anglican Communion.

Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, government ministers and top diplomats were among the congregation who fellowshipped with him yesterday Sunday 2^nd February 2014 at St. Etienne Cathedral, Biryogo Kigali Diocese.

His coming to Rwanda was at the invitation of the Rwanda’s Anglican Archbishop, Onesphore Rwaje .

The trip is part of Archbishop Justin’s plan to visit all of his fellow archbishops around the Anglican Communion.

His desire is to express solidarity, build personal and professional bonds, understand the Primates’ work in their local contexts, and lay foundations for good collaboration over the coming years.

Arriving in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Archbishop Justin said: “It gives me great joy to visit Rwanda with my wife Caroline at the invitation of the Anglican Archbishop, Onesphore Rwaje.

Rwanda is a country so important to the East African revival which started in the Anglican Church Diocese of Gahini.

 Photos:Mutara Eugene Rugambwa

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