Local Government and Social Affairs minister Francis Kaboneka has highlighted the role of church in spiritually transforming the lives of the people and building a cohesive society.

The minister was speaking yesterday at Gahini Anglican Diocese in Kayonza District where he was chief guest at the consecration of Manasseh Gahima as the associate bishop of the diocese.

The event was graced by top leaders from Anglican Church as well as other religious denominations and public officials.

Bishop Gahima will serve as assistant to Bishop Alexis Birindabagabo.

Kaboneka hailed the church’s role in nation building but stressed that there is still a long way to go and called for even stronger partnership to ensure the country achieves its ambitious socio-economic goals.

On the social front, he highlighted the role of church in combating domestic violence, saying that as government steps up effort to fight the vice, the church should also leverage its influence to ensure families embrace cohesion.

He said some church leaders have failed to preach the gospel that leads to national development, adding that there is always need to work toward a common goal.

"The Government recognises the role of churches in national development. However, it is a pity that some churches are not doing enough to transform their congregation and Rwandans in general,” Kaboneka said. 

The Minister further reminded the church leaders that it is by uniting, accounting to leading their congregations with humility, that their leadership will be sustained. 

New bishop hailed

Minister Kaboneka hailed Bishop Gahima for the role he played in building the nation before he joined the church leadership, saying the cleric served in local government for years and left a legacy of putting people’s interests before self.

"No doubt God has blessed you and what we wish for you is to serve the flock well by ensuring the promotion of their welfare,” he said.

He urged church leaders to be humble and dedicate themselves to God to be able to serve well.

The new bishop said he was committed to dedicate himself to the people he was assigned to serve and work with other church leaders to change people physically and spiritually.

"I am very delighted; the Bible says that becoming a bishop is receiving a blessing and receiving a higher responsibility. We will keep working on socio-economic transformation of Rwandans as well as ensuring they grow spiritually as the healthy spirit dwells in a healthy body,” Bishop Gahima said

Gahini hill was declared a Regional Revival Heritage Centre in February. The centre is undergoing redevelopment.

The Rwanda Anglican Mission movement established its first station at Gahini in 1925 and grew through the revivals of the 1930s and 1940s, spreading across the globe.

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