MUHANGA – The Mayor of Muhanga district, has asked the Catholic Church in Rwanda to foster peace while rallying Christians behind development projects.

Yvonne Mutakwasuku, was last Sunday speaking at a ceremony to mark 50 years of the canonization of the Catholic Church in Rwanda.

She represented the Minister of Local government, Christophe Bazivamo.

"The jubilee should be a time to look at the areas that need redress and to reflect on strategies of not only building the church, but also strengthening the Rwandan community to live in harmony,” Mutakwasuku said.

Archbishop Thaddée Ntihinyurwa, led a solemn mass during the function held at Gitarama stadium. It was attended by Papal nuncio to Rwanda and other members of the clergy including thousands of Christian representatives countrywide.

The Papal nuncio, Bishop Ivo Scapolo, said there is need for the message of peace and love to be promoted in the Christian community. He also called on the church to renew its commitment to Christ.

Bishop Alexis Habiyambere, president of the Catholic Advisory Council, said the recognition of the Kabgayi Metropolitan See, that was established 50 years ago, was fundamental to building the Christian community in Rwanda.
However, he said, the church still needs to work hard to transform the hearts of Christians towards unity and reconciliation.

On  November 10, 1959, the Vatican Holy See elevated the Catholic Church in Rwanda to a Metropolitan See. This was at a time when the country was undergoing ethnic cleansing and divisions.

Church leaders say the numbers of Christians has increased. The 2006 statistics indicate that 4,133,000 (47.92%) of 8,625,000 Rwandans are Catholics, with nine dioceses, 138 parishes.

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