Pope Francis on Monday, February 20, appointed Father Jean-Marie Vianney Twagirayezu as the bishop of the diocese of Kibungo, replacing his eminence Cardinal Antonine Kambanda, who has been serving as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese since 2018.

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The appointment, according to the Archdiocese of Kigali, marks a significant milestone in Twagirayezu’s career, who has served in various capacities in the Catholic Church for many years.

Prior to his appointment, Twagirayezu has been serving as the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda, a catholic church funded charity, since 2016.

The 63-year-old has also previously served in several senior capacities since he was ordained in 1995, particularly in Nyundo, Muramba and Kibingo diocese.

Twagirayezu, a theology doctorate holder from Belgium-based Louvain University, is an alumni of Nyakibanda minor seminary and its central seminary where he had his secondary school studies.