Arrival of the Archbishop of Canterbury

ENTHRONEMENT OF THE THIRD ARCHBISHOP OF THE PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF BURUNDI

On Sunday the 17^th July 2005 the enthronement took place of the third Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Burundi, the Most Revd. Bernard Ntahoturi. Before a congregation of several thousand people gathered in the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium, Bujumbura , Archbishop Bernard took the oath before being installed in his seat by the retiring Archbishop, the Most Revd. Samuel Ndayisenga, and the Dean of the Province. The Archbishop of Canterbury , the Most Revd. Rowan Williams, prayed for the new Archbishop. Archbishop Ndayisenga then handed him the Archbishop’s Staff and gave a blessing.

The platform party at the enthronement

Amid much joyful and exuberant singing from choirs, Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi greeted the congregation, asking them for their prayers and encouragement for his new ministry.

In his sermon, Archbishop Rowan Williams challenged the Church to be those supported by Christ alone who are called to bear up the needs, burdens, and suffering of the world to their Father. In closing he said, “May God grant that everyone will see Christ in the depths of your hearts and know that there is hope for the world.”

Guests included the Archbishops of Congo and Rwanda; Bishops from Rwanda, Kenya, and USA, and others representing the wider Anglican Communion; representatives from the World Council of Churches; the General Secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa; a representative from CMS: as well as the Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop of Gitega from the Roman Catholic Church in Burundi, along with members of the National Council of Churches and other Christian denominations and organisations.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Domitien Ndayizeye, congratulated Archbishop Bernard and welcomed the Archbishop of Canterbury to Burundi . In his speech he spoke of the need to encourage all people, especially the youth, to reconcile. He asked the Church to pray that Burundi would become again a place of peace.

Throughout the ceremony there was a sense of joyful anticipation that it marked a time of new opportunities for the Church that was matched by expectation and hope for a new beginning for the country. 

16TH July 2005

CROESO – WELCOME

This was the greeting, in Welsh, that welcomed the Archbishop of Canterbury and his wife to Burundi at the start of their four day visit to the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams tries the drums

A lively and colourful reception awaited them at the airport, with dancers and drummers.

The Archbishop and his wife have a full schedule of engagements that include a meeting with the President of the Republic, a reception hosted by the British Ambassador from Kigali , and a visit to the rural diocese of Matana.

The Archbishop will also participate In the enthronement ceremony of the third Archbishop of Burundi, the Most Revd. Bernard Ntahoturi.

On his arrival the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke at a press conference about the visit. He said “The aim of my visit is to affirm and praise the work of the Anglican Church here in Burundi , and also to show that we pray and we care for the needs of the nation…. We are here to celebrate with the Church. We are also here to learn what we can do to assist the process of reconciliation”