KIGALI - THE House of Bishops of the Anglican Church in Rwanda has elected the Bishop of Byumba Diocese, Onesphore Rwaje, as the replacement of the Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, who retires in January next year.

Archbishop-elect Rwaje will also relocate to Kigali where he will head a newly established Gasabo Diocese.

He was elected by 10 bishops during a retreat last weekend which was chaired by the Archbishop of Burundi, Bernard Ntahoturi. Also present was Bishop Charles H. Murphy from USA who oversees Rwandan Anglican missionary outreach in America.

Kolini, who will, on December 12, 2010, hand over the leadership of Kigali Diocese to Bishop Louis Muvunyi, has served as the Archbishop of Rwanda for the past 12 years.
"I will put emphasis on what I have been doing, which is spreading the gospel, promoting community development initiatives, and fighting poverty in general,” bishop Rwaje told The New Times after his election.

The Archbishop-elect promised to lead the House of Anglican bishops for the next five years with humility and spiritual guidance.

"The gospel is very clear on the value of the family and anything that goes against the concept of a Rwandan family is not accepted. We will not tolerate any deviations from God’s plan for a family, and thus such things as homosexuality are ungodly and should be resisted,” he said.
On his part, Kolini said that he intends to concentrate on his family, but was quick to add that he would happily give his contribution wherever it was needed.

"I will be fellowshipping with fellow believers on Sundays, but the responsibility to look for them spiritual food is what I shall miss,” Bishop Kolini said yesterday. "When you are in that office you can give much to the community and less to the family, so I now intend to concentrate on my family,”

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