Kibeho Before the Apparitions

KIBEHO was one of the parishes of the diocese of Butare until 1990. When the diocese of Gikongoro was established, the parish was detached from Butare and attached to the new diocese.

This parish stood out by the great fervor of its members

For instance, since its creation in 1935, it has given to the Church of Rwanda an exceptionally large number of consecrated. Among its sons, many have become diocesan priests or religious in several congregations and orders, while an impressive number of its daughters have embraced the religious life in different religious congregations. To give you a figure, I have ordained at least 22 candidates originating from that parish.

This parish had good structures of pastoral life:

• a community of Sisters were in charge of primary school education and also of a secondary school for girls, among whom 3 were the beneficiaries of these apparitions.
• a team of priests in charge of all the pastoral work and the sanctification of souls.

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Mgr Jean Baptiste GAHAMANYI,

Bishop emeritus of Butare,

Rome, September 14, 1997

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