From EAB Extra, the newsletter of the Anglican Church of Burundi
“I have a business selling tomatoes and palm oil at the market. I can now take care of my 11 children, 6 of my own and 5 orphans”.
By Rosemary Cottingham, The Anglican Church of Burundi's Communications Department
The Anglican Church of Burundi and the Anglican Alliance made a joint visit to the DFID office in Bujumbura, Burundi, to make the case for four African countries which have lost their place in the UK aid programme.
This is to inform you that during the last House of Bishops, held in GITEGA on the 23 – 24 June, 2010 it was unanimously decided to extend the mandate of the Most Reverend Bernard NTAHOTURI as the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of BURUNDI for another period of five years starting from July 17, 2010.
The Archbishop of Burundi, the Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi, was sad to announce the death on 26th April 2008 of the Most Revd Samuel Ndayisenga, and, with the whole of the Anglican Church of Burundi, extended sympathy to his wife and family.
The Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN), under the regional leadership of the Rt Revd Pie Ntukamazina, Bishop of Bujumbura, brought together delegates from 18 countries for meetings in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi.
During July and August, ordinations took place in the dioceses of Muyinga, Bujumbura and Makamba. One priest and five deacons were ordained in Muyinga. This was the first service of ordination in the new diocese. Four deacons and 34 priests were ordained in Bujumbura,
A workshop organized by the Province brought together 125 lay people from all the dioceses between 9 and 11 July 2007 to consider various aspects of the role of the Church in peace-building.
Funded by Trinity Church, New York, this workshop was the first part of a larger project to increase the capacity of 250 pastors and 250 lay people over a period of 2 years and initiate development projects in order to assist poor rural areas, address the issues of violence against women and HIV and AIDS, reduce poverty, and encourage good governance.
Update on the Famine and Floods Crisis
It is estimated that 800,000 people need food assistance between now and July.
Eighty percent of food production has been damaged by the rains and floods. Thousands of people are left homeless or displaced.
In one small Methodist Church in rural Bujumbura 70 families were seeking shelter. Malaria, cholera and diarrhoea are an increasing problem.
Global South Primates
The Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi attended the meeting of Global South Primates in Kigali, Rwanda.
Among the issues discussed were the conflict in Sudan, the current situation in the Anglican Communion, the responses to the Windsor Report by The Episcopal Church at their General Convention, along with on-going challenges such as poverty eradication, HIV/AIDS, peace building, church planting, and theological education.
On his return Archbishop Bernard said, 'While there are differences among us that we must address, it is important that we find ways to move forward together in the work of the Gospel exercising God's grace and love.'
The Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi welcomed Dr Stephen Dzisi from Episcopal Relief and Development for one week in June. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation regarding malaria in order to see how the Church might best intervene in the prevention of the disease.
The Province is about to receive 16,500 long-lasting mosquito nets for distribution around the dioceses and is preparing to embark on a programme of education and training about their use and malaria in general. This is part of ERD's wider programme to distribute 1 million nets across 17 countries in Africa.
Also meetings on Sexuality, Youth and Malaria
The Country
Maternal care - Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi congratulated the government on changes made for women that enable them to receive free care in childbirth and for infants under the age of 5 years. This will have an impact on women's health and reduce maternal and infant mortality in the future.
Rains - Heavy rains during May resulted in flooding and huge damage in certain parts of the country. Many homes, schools, and unroofed churches were destroyed. Crops were ruined. A cemetery was so affected that bodies had to be re-buried.
Family and friends, Bishops and clergy, the first Vice-President representing the Government, and Christians from around the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi and from other denominations, including the Roman Catholic Archbishop, were lead by the Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi in giving thanks for the life and ministry of the Most Rev. Samuel Sindamuka at the funeral service held on Thursday 29th December 2005 in Matana.
The weekend of November 5-6th 2005 is set to be memorable and historic for the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi as two newly-elected Bishops are consecrated, and the new diocese of Muyinga is inaugurated.
President tells Religious Leaders that Prayer is a Priority
5th September 2005
The President of Burundi, Peter Nkurunziza, requested a meeting on 5th September 2005 with religious leaders as he had promised to do at his investiture. He addressed a large gathering of Christian and Moslem leaders.
The Rt. Rev. Pie Ntukamazina, Bishop of Bujumbura, joined other religious leaders in praying for Peter Nkurunziza, Burundi's new President, at the beginning of the investiture ceremony on 26th August 2005.
On Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will preach at the enthronement service of the Rt Revd Bernard Ntahoturi as the next Archbishop of Burundi during a four-day visit to the Church of the Province of Burundi.
Janette O'Neill from ECUSA's department of Emergency, Relief and Development (Episcopal Church of the United States of America ERD) recently visited all the dioceses to evaluate the work of associations working to confront HIV/AIDS, with a view to future support and funding of such schemes as micro-credits.
She provided helpful input to a seminar on micro credit schemes, especially ways of monitoring them. We look forward to developing our partnership with ERD in the future.
Article from the Episcopal Church of Burundi
The Province of the Episcopal Church of Burundi extends its deepest sympathy to Archbishop Samuel Ndayisenga and his wife, Joy, following the death of their daughter, Fredence, on 6th February 2005. Our prayers are with them and all the family as they mourn. Fredence was fully involved in many aspects of Church life, including the cathedral choir in Bujumbura, and was an active member of the staff of the National Council of Churches (CNEB. Article from the Episcopal Church of Burundi
The Most Revd Samuel Ndayisenga, the Archbishop of the Province of Burundi, and the Revd Pascal Bigirimana have just returned from a visit to the Episcopal Church of USA at the invitation of the Presiding Bishop, the Most Revd Frank Griswold.
It provided an opportunity to share the work and experiences of the Province. They visited the Episcopal Church Centre and Trinity Church, New York.
Among the dioceses visited were the diocese of Long Island where they met the Rt Revd Orris G Walker, and the Diocese of Washington where they met the Rt Revd John B Chane and visited African Palms.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" -- 2 Chronicles 7:14
This was the theme of the recent ecumenical event held over a weekend in October 2004 in Bujumbura. It brought Christians together to pray for Burundi at a crucial time in the country's history when the transitional period agreed in Arusha is due to end on 31st October and plans are being made for a referendum on a new constitution followed by elections.
