Diocese appeals for more funds

NGOMA - Kibungo Catholic Diocese is appealing to Christians to contribute generously in order to raise the Rwf 1.2 billion the diocese needs to settle its debts. Last month, the Church announced that the Bishop of Kibungo Diocese, Monsignor Kizito Bahujimihigo had resigned amid the financial woes. Fr. Albert Masumbuku, who heads an eight member commission of catholic clergy set up to mobilise funds to pay the churches’ huge debts, said at the weekend that assets of the diocese could be auctioned off if the bank debt was not paid soon. Fr. Masumbuku says the losses were caused by mismanaged projects which the diocese had invested in to increase its revenue base. “The diocese got loans from banks to boost its revenue base, unfortunately the lack of qualified people led to the collapse of a vast majority of these projects,” he said. “We are appealing to Christians in Kibungo Diocese, in Rwanda and the whole world to come to our rescue.” According to the commission, the loans keep accumulating due to interest rates. “The banks’ interest is accumulating and unless we get a solution, we shall sink into a heavier debt,” Fr. Masumbuku lamented. However, a Christian who wanted his names to remain anonymous, said that there is need for an audit to find out what caused the financial mess before appealing for aid. “We are told that there was neither corruption nor embezzlement but we cannot take it like that. Let there be an audit to expose the culprits,” he said. According to sources, the loans were secured from Congebanque, Banque Populairie and Bank of Kigali ostensibly to set up income generation projects. Ends