Rev. Célestin Hazikimana, the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda has been appointed as bishop of the diocese of Gikongoro by Pope Francis today.

The newly-elected Bishop was born on 14 August 1963. He attended secondary schools at the St Vincent Rulindo minor Seminary (1977-1983) and then in Ndera (1983-1984).

In 1985 he entered the preparatory Seminary of Rulindo and completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Interdiocesano Nyakibanda Major Seminary, in Butare. He was ordained a priest on 21 July 1991.

Since then he has served in a number of pastoral and academic roles: 1991-1992: Assistant priest in Rutongo; 1992-1994: Diocesan Representative for Catholic Education; 1994-1996: Director of the San Paolo National Centre in Kigali; 1997-1998: Diocesan Representative for Catholic Education; 1998-2003: Director of GEMECA-Rwanda; 2003-2010: Higher studies of Theology in Naples, where he obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology at St. Thomas University.

Since 2011 he has been the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda.