President Paul Kagame over the weekend received a delegation of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda led by the council’s chairperson Bishop Smaradge Mbonyintege. 

According to a statement from the Office of the President, the meeting discussed how to strengthen collaboration between the Church and government, in order to improve the wellbeing of Rwandans.

"The President commended the Catholic Church for the long standing relationship and pledged continued government support,” reads part of the statement.

The Catholic Church, which has invested in health and education, runs 131 schools, 105 health centres and nine hospitals across the country.

Mbonyintege doubles as the Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese.

The delegation also included Archbishop Thadee Ntihinyurwa (Kigali), Bishop Philippe Rukamba (Butare), Bishop Jean Damascène Bimenyimana (Cyangugu), Bishop Célestin Hazikimana (Gikongoro), Bishop Servilien Nzakamwita (Byumba) and Bishop Vincent Harolimana (Ruhengeri).

Established in 1980, the council is the official assembly of all Catholic Bishops in Rwanda and is comprised of nine dioceses; Kigali, Kabgayi, Butare, Gikongoro, Cyangugu, Nyundo, Byumba, Ruhengeri and Kibungo.

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