...............................
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RWANDA
GAHINI DIOCESE
MONOGRAPHY
Gahini Diocese is the newest of the nine dioceses of the Episcopal Church
of Rwanda. It was officially inaugurated and the first bishop enthroned in
May 1997.The diocese covers the whole of Umutara Province, bordering in
the North with Uganda, in the East with Tanzania, in the South with
Kibungo Province and in the West with the Province of Byumba.
After the Umutara area had been settled by hundreds of thousands of
returnees after the war and genocide, and when the area had been made a
Province by the Government, it became necessary to establish the new
diocese to bring Church nearer to the people. The diocese started from
scratch in all senses : in terms of personnel, resources, facilities etc.
Most of the buildings at Gahini were built in the 1920's. They were either
old or had been damaged during the war and needed major repairs. The first
bishop, Rt. Rev. Alexis Bilindabagabo started with a handful of priests
and lay staff and with a few facilities at hand. The diocese has been
moving slowly but steadily from strength to strength each new day.
The diocese is divided into 4 archdeaconries, namely : Nyagatare
archdeaconry with 14 parishes, 57 sub-parishes and 12 pastors, Gahini
archdeaconry with 10 parishes (including the Cathedral), 3 2 sub-parishes
and 10 pastors, Gakenke archdeaconry with 11 parishes, 47 sub-parishes and
7 pastors and Rukomo archdeaconry with 9 parishes 43 sub-parishes and 6
pastors
THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES
This sub-section on the administrative structures provides general
information on the entire administrative machinery in the whole diocese
from top to bottom indicating roles and procedures applied in the diocese.
The administrative structure is organized in accordance with the diocesan
constitution which is the supreme law governing the diocese.
DIOCESAN SYNOD
The Synod is the supreme legislative body of the Diocese, responsible for
the formulation of policy, progress and review. Members of the Synod are
elected representatives from parishes and powers are laid down in the
Diocesan constitution. The Synod meets once in 2 years and is chaired by
the Diocesan Bishop or his representative.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL
The Diocesan Council serves as the executive body of the Diocesan Synod,
responsible for :
General diocesan business
Diocesan office
Diocesan information system
Work of the Archdeaconries.
The Diocesan Council reviews, recommends, and coordinates plans and
authorizes budget and other major undertakings. Members are elected by the
Synod. Detailed functions, powers and operations of the Council are
provided for in the Diocesan Constitution.
List of Parishes
A. NYAGATARE ARCHDEACONRY
1 Nyagatare
2 Kagitumba
3 Matimba
4 Bweya
5 Karangazi
6 Nyakayaga
7 Kabarore
8 Rwimiyaga
9 Rukundo/Kabeza
1O Ryabega
11 Mihingo
12 Nyakigando
13 Musenyi
14 .Kibondo
B GAKENKE ARCHDEACONRY
15 Kiramuruzi
16. Ntete
17. Gishya
18. Murambi II
19. Matare
20. Rwimitered
21. Gakeilke
22. Gorora
23. Nyamiyaga
24. Rugarama/Kanyangese
25. Rwimbogo
C. GAHINI ARCHDEACONRY
26 Gahini
27 Nyagahandagaza
28 Rukara
29 Nyakabungo
30 Mumuri
31 Kawangire
32 Ryamanyoni
33 Rwensheke
34 Cyamburarara/Kumunini
35 Buhabwa
D.RUKOMO (Muvumba) ARCHDEACONRY
36 Rukomo
37 Tabagwe
38 Shonga
39 Karama
40 Gatunda
41 Mukama
42 Bukamba
43 Ruyonza
44 Mutojo
EER GAHINI DIOCESE
B.P. 22 Kigali
Tel: 567422
E-mail: gahini@rwanda1.com
Rwanda Pilgrimage 2006