Presentation of the Diocese

The diocese of Ruhengeri covers the same territorial area as the former Province of Ruhengeri. It is located in Northwest Rwanda in the Northern Province with a small portion in the Western Province, (Nyabihu District). It has an area of 1,665.06 Km² and is bordered on the North by Uganda, on the North-West by the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), on the South-East by the former Province of Kigali Rural, at the East by the former Byumba Province, at the West by the former Province of Gisenyi, and at the South by the former Province of Gitarama. The diocese of Ruhengeri includes the Musanze District, a large part of the Burera and Gakenke districts and a small part of the Nyabihu district.

The Diocese of Ruhengeri borders the Archdiocese of Kigali in the Southeast, the Diocese of Byumba in the East, the Diocese of Nyundo in the West, and the Diocese of Kabgayi in the South.

The Diocese of Ruhengeri was erected by Pope John XXIII on December 20, 1960. At that time, it was entrusted to His Excellency Monsignor Bernard MANYURANE who died before having taken the canonical possession. While waiting to find another bishop, Mgr. André PERRAUDIN became Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Ruhengeri from April 24 to August 21, 1961.

Then, it is His Excellency Monsignor Joseph SIBOMANA who was appointed at his head. He had been Bishop of Ruhengeri until 1969, when he was transferred to the Diocese of KIBUNGO, and was replaced in Ruhengeri by His Excellency Monsignor Phocas NIKWIGIZE. The latter will lead the diocese of Ruhengeri until 1996. Since this year, the Diocese of Ruhengeri has been entrusted to Monsignor Antonio MARTINEZ. He directed it as Apostolic Administrator sede plena until 21 November 1997, when His Excellency Bishop Kizito BAHUJIMIHIGO was appointed Bishop.

On January 29, 2010, the Holy See announced that the Holy Father Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of KIBUNGO, presented by His Excellence Bishop Kizito BAHUJIMIHIGO, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law (“A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office”).

This resignation implicated another one to the pastoral government of the Diocese of Ruhengeri of which he was Apostolic Administrator since 2007. At that moment, Pope Benedict XVI appointed as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of RUHENGERI His Excellency Monsignor Alexis HABIYAMBERE SJ who was ordinarily Bishop of the Diocese of NYUNDO. He will lead the Diocese of Ruhengeri until 31 January 2012, the day the Sovereign Pontiff appointed Bishop of Ruhengeri His Excellency Bishop Vincent Harolimanao. He is ordained Bishop on March 24, 2012.

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