80 year-old ‘holy’ tree felled in Kiziguro

Gatsibo-An 80 year old tree that was regarded by the Kizuguro Catholic fraternity as the ‘Holy Trinity Tree’ was finally cut down yesterday.The tree had become the centre of controversy, when it was first marked for felling to pave way for electricity connection in Kiziguro Sector, Gatsibo District.The tree that grew with three branches stretching straight high alongside each other was perceived as a sacred place for Catholics who prayed under it for salvation.The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons; the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.According to residents of a village named ‘Holy Trinity’ (Umudugudu w’ubutatu), the tree was comparable to the one referred to in the bible teachings on the Holy Trinity. Father Epaphrodite Nshimiyimana of Kiziguro |Sector said that the tree was very instrumental in explaining the myth of the Holy Trinity to Christians in the area.He said that the resistance to cutting down the tree was justifiable, adding that Christians must however know that it had to pave way for development programmes.“The Church had been using the tree to teach the significance of the Holy Trinity…every Christian thus wouldn’t want it cut down. But I think it had to go, after all, it would get old and fall naturally at some point,” he alluded.Father Laurent Rutikanga was strongly against the cutting down of the tree and had threatened to sue whoever would cut it down.“The tree is in my land. I will sue anyone who will cut it down,” he threatened some time back.Claudine Uwingabire, a resident of the area said that the tree should have been left to fall down naturally.“This is a tree that people never dared to touch even during wars…it was an important tree for our religious beliefs and worship. Even if we plant other trees, there are no chances they would grow like this one,” she bemoaned. Reacting to the concerns, the district Mayor, Ambrose Ruboneza said that the issue was blown out of proportion due to conservative beliefs.“We ordered the cutting of the tree…the village had to get electricity but the tree wouldn’t allow poles and wires to pass. It was so difficult to convince the clergymen and their followers. We finally had to cut it anyway for the good of the community,” he stated.

National

80 year-old ‘holy’ tree felled in Kiziguro