Burundi ordains 20 catholic priests and 18 deacons at Gitega

The President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye, enhanced with his presence the priestly ordination ceremonies of the new priests and deacons of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gitega, organized at the parish of Mukobe.

Upon his arrival, the Head of State, surrounded by His Excellency Monsignor Bonaventure Nahimana, Archbishop of Gitega, and His Excellency Monsignor Simon Ntamwana, Archbishop Emeritus of Gitega, was warmly welcomed to the loud applause of the many faithful who came to attend this celebration marked by the ordination of 20 priests and 18 deacons.

On this occasion, the President of the Republic addressed his sincere congratulations to the new priests and deacons for their commitment to the service of God and His Church.

He urged them to carry out their mission with faith, humility and dedication, actively contributing to the influence of the Church, the promotion of moral values and the integral development of Burundi.

The Head of State also reaffirmed his attachment to spiritual values and praised the invaluable contribution of the Catholic Church in the consolidation of peace, the strengthening of unity, the promotion of social cohesion as well as the socio-economic development of the country.

For the Burundian number one and faithful Catholic, the new priests are called to sow not only the benefits that nourish the soul, but also those that nourish the body, imitating St. Paul who was the model of a hard-working priesthood and not dependent on the gifts of the community.

In his homily, Monsignor Bonaventure Nahimana invited the new priests to take as their model Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who came to serve and not be served.

Based on the reading of the book of Isaiah, he reminded them that their ministry is above all a call to put themselves entirely at the service of God and his people.

The Archbishop urged them to seek above all the Kingdom of God and his justice, in the trust that the Lord will grant them the rest. He also invited them to be, in every circumstance, models for the faithful by their exemplary conduct, humility, integrity and fidelity to the Gospel.

Finally, he called them to remain firmly rooted in the teachings of Christ and the Church, guarding against ideologies and currents of thought contrary to Gospel values, in order to guide the People of God on the path of truth, holiness and salvation.

This celebration, which brought together a large crowd of faithful, members of the clergy, men and women religious and high authorities of the country, testifies to the vitality of the Catholic Church in Burundi and its decisive role in the spiritual, moral and human formation of society.

It also reflects the excellent relations of cooperation between the State and religious denominations, based on the promotion of the common good, peace and sustainable development.