From June 17, 2023, to June 17, 2024, a year has passed since Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa ordained as the new bishop of the Diocese of Kabgayi, succeeding Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege who retired.
To celebrate this anniversary, Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass on Monday morning, thanking God for guiding him in his leadership of the Diocese of Kabgayi.
In an interview with ICK News, Bishop Balthazar expressed his feelings, noting that celebrating the first anniversary of his episcopal ordination makes him reflect on God’s grace and mercy.
He said, “God chooses whom He wills, when He wills, and how He wills. When God chooses you, you wonder, ‘Why me?’ but you place yourself in God’s hands and rejoice. Naturally, you also feel fear, asking, ‘Why did God choose me? How will I fulfill this mission?’ But you trust because if God chose you, He believes you will accept and succeed.”
He continued, “Today, my heart is filled with joy and wonder at God. It’s a day to thank Him, to praise Him, and to once again place myself in His hands so that He can work through me.”
Bishop Balthazar reflected on how quickly the year had passed, highlighting his extensive pastoral work, especially in reaching out to the Christians. He said, “For me, this year flew by because it went well.”
The love and dedication of the Christians of the Diocese of Kabgayi towards God and their diocese support Bishop Balthazar in fulfilling his mission.
He said, “Seeing how the faithful love their diocese and God, and how priests and religious dedicate themselves to their missions, helps me fulfill the mission God has given me.”
Based on this, Bishop Balthazar thanked the Christians of the Diocese of Kabgayi and urged them to deepen their love for God and the Church. He specifically asked for their continued prayers to provide him with the strength and wisdom needed to fulfill his mission.
Launch of the School of Faith
In September, the School of Faith will be launched – Bishop Balthazar
When he was installed as bishop of Kabgayi, Bishop Balthazar outlined seven key pillars for the Diocese of Kabgayi. These priorities include:
- Caring for the life and mission of priests,
- Educating the Christians in their faith,
- Strengthening basic ecclesial communities,
- Improving financial management within all parts of the Church,
- Focusing on the education and upbringing of children and youth,
- Supporting married couples through parental and community ministry,
- Caring for the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable, with all activities rooted in prayer and truth (Orate in Veritate).
Regarding the priority of educating the faithful in their faith, Bishop Balthazar announced during the Thanksgiving Mass that the School of Faith program will commence in September 2024.
He invited the faithful to participate in this initiative. He said, “I want to inform you that as part of our focus on Christian education, we will officially start various training programs for different groups of Christians under the School of Faith framework in September.”
The Faithful of Kabgayi Recognize a Father Figure
Some Christians of the Diocese of Kabgayi, speaking to ICK News, wished Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa a happy anniversary, describing him as a father figure and wishing him well in his responsibilities.
Silas Dushimiyimana from Kabgayi Parish said, “I am very happy because I knew our bishop even before he became a bishop. He loves children, and is approachable. For us, he is a father figure, and we continue to feel at ease and loved as he used to do.”
Anastase Iradukunda from Cyeza Parish also expressed gratitude to Bishop Balthazar and wished him to continue being a father to them. He said, “We pray for him to continue shepherding his flock as he should.”
Born on September 15, 1967, in the former prefecture of Gitarama, Ntivuguruzwa was ordained priesthood on January 18, 1997, as a priest of the Diocese of Kabgayi.
Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa, PhD, was appointed by Pope Francis on May 2, 2023.
