Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, who has served the Diocese of Kabgayi for 17 years, expressed his deep appreciation to President Paul Kagame during the ordination ceremony of Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa.
During the ceremony held on Saturday, June 17, Bishop Mbonyintege presented President Kagame with a symbolic priest staff, symbolizing the diverse Rwandan population, and thanked him for his unwavering dedication to the people of Rwanda and the catholic church.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to President Kagame, Bishop Mbonyintege expressed profound gratitude for the invaluable support he received throughout his tenure as the Bishop of Kabgayi. He also shared a touching story of how he had been gifted four cows by the President, which later multiplied to ten, and were eventually distributed to those in need through the Girinka program.
Reflecting on his achievements, Bishop Mbonyintege humbly stated, "My job is done, and I want to thank you all." He commended President Kagame for his exceptional efforts in developing Muhanga City's infrastructure and empowering the youth through vocational schools. Furthermore, he assured the President of the Diocese of Kabgayi's continued collaboration with the government.
Moreover, the retiring Bishop expressed his plea for the restoration of the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kabgayi, highlighting its historical significance and the heroic acts of the late Dorothée Mukandanga during the Genocide. He urged the government to allocate government scholarship students to train at this unique maternity hospital.
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, who represented President Kagame, reassured Bishop Mbonyintege that his wishes and concerns have been duly acknowledged. Specifically addressing the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ngirente affirmed that the government is aware of the issue and will take concrete steps to address it in the near future.
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Protogène Ntivuguruzwa, the head of the congregation of Kabgayi Diocese, extended gratitude to Bishop Mbonyintege for his exemplary service as a priest in the last 17 years. He expressed joy for the Bishop&039;s well-deserved retirement and praised his remarkable contributions in establishing parishes, monastic families, kindergartens, schools, and universities within the Diocese.
Bishop Mbonyintege's unwavering dedication to the Christian community's development and the well-being of the people garnered praise from all those in attendance.