BUJUMBURA October 19th (ABP) – The presidential couple, surrounded by the high personalities of the country, shared Sunday, October 17, Sunday Mass with the faithful of the Regina Mundi Cathedral, which was celebrated by the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bujumbura, Bishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa and who inaugurated the synod of bishops, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
The President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, presented some challenges facing the Catholic Church and the country. He pointed out that the inauguration of the Synod of Bishops coincides with the government’s campaign to structure the personality of Burundians, who have become hypocrites following various crises the country has gone through. On the subject of hypocrisy, he lamented the fact that Burundians hide behind the bible when they are hypocrites. He also referred to conflicts in households, noting instances where parents and children do not attend the same church, which he said makes raising children difficult and affects the country life following the absence of good supervision. The rampant demographics and unwanted pregnancies are other challenges raised by the Head of State, who also spoke of the uprooting of mores and customs, as well as the rampant demographics. President Ndayishimiye, on that occasion, wished the bishops of Burundi every success in the work of the said synod.
Bishop Banshimiyubusa, for his part, focused his homily on discernment in all places and in all circumstances with a view to doing the will of God. He urged the leaders to listen to the grievances of the ruled and find adequate solutions. He further invited Christians to live in harmony and share in joy and suffering.
Regarding the conduct of the synod at the level of the Archdiocese of Bujumbura, Bishop Banshimiyubusa informed that a questionnaire will be drawn up and sent to the grassroots Christian communities and pastoral councils so that everyone has the opportunity to give their contribution through responses, the synthesis of which at the level of the dioceses will be sent to the bishops’ conference, then to Rome. That will allow the Synod of Bishops that will meet in Rome to know what the Catholic Church as a whole think.