President Evariste Ndayishimiye attended ordination ceremonies on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Mukobe parish in the Archdiocese of Gitega. During the event, 20 priests and 18 deacons received sacred orders. The ceremonies, a significant spiritual occasion, were organized at Mukobe parish, a prominent location within the Archdiocese of Gitega. Archbishop of Gitega, Mgr Bonaventure Nahimana, presided over the celebration, which also saw the attendance of the Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security. Other high-ranking officials present included the governor of Gitega province, deputies, senators, consecrated persons, and numerous other guests, showing the importance of the event. President Ndayishimiye stated, "le corps est le temple de Dieu," and added, "Là où règne la faim, la haine finit par s’installer."
President's Call for Unity
President Ndayishimiye exhorted the new priests to teach Christians the value of work. He encouraged them to serve as good, hardworking role models, reminding the newly ordained that the body is the temple of God. This encouragement noted the President's belief in the spiritual and practical responsibilities of the clergy. The President also asked the new priests to contribute to forming worthy women and men by promoting national unity, emphasizing their role in societal development and cohesion. He urged them to promote the fight against jealousy and hatred, alongside fostering the culture of loving one's neighbor, seeing these as key elements for a harmonious society. President Ndayishimiye called for mobilization towards productive work, stating, "Where hunger reigns, hatred eventually takes hold," linking economic well-being with social stability. Among the twenty priests ordained during the ceremony, one is a son of the Mukobe parish, a detail that added a local touch to the grand celebration.
Archbishop's Message to Priests
Archbishop Bonaventure Nahimana reminded the newly ordained priests that the sacrament of Order configures them to Christ, imparting a profound spiritual transformation. He elaborated that this sacrament confers upon them the mission to sanctify God's people. This sanctification, according to Archbishop Nahimana, is to be achieved through the administration of sacraments, hearing confessions, and diligently preaching God's Word. He stressed the importance of these sacred duties in guiding the faithful. Mgr Nahimana further emphasized that this sacred vocation requires a spirit of profound sacrifice and total availability from each priest, noting the demanding nature of their commitment to the Church and its parishioners. His message showed the gravity and spiritual depth of the priestly calling.
Parish and Community Context
Mukobe parish, the location for the ordination ceremony, was established on November 16, 2019. The parish, situated within the Archdiocese of Gitega, played host to the significant event where 20 priests and 18 deacons received their sacred orders. The relatively recent establishment of Mukobe parish notes its growing role within the local religious community. The decision to hold such a major ordination ceremony at this specific parish shows its developing importance and capacity to host large-scale ecclesiastical events. The presence of President Evariste Ndayishimiye and other high-ranking officials at Mukobe further emphasized the communal and national significance of the ordination and the parish itself. This event marked a key moment for the parish, bringing together religious leaders, government officials, and a wide congregation in a powerful display of faith and community.