EDUCATION 

- Head teachers and teachers from Church schools under Convention with the government of Burundi met in August in order to look at aspects of education in Church schools. Members of the Provincial staff contributed on the subjects of the fight against HIV/AIDS, the protection and restoration of the environment, and the issue of gender. - In September representatives from the dioceses involved in theological education met to review the curriculum of the Theological Institute of Matana and of the Bible Schools and to plan for the future.

WELCOME
 

In September Rev. Paisible Ndacayisaba joined the Provincial staff. He takes up responsibility for Ecumenical and Public Relations. Married to Leonie, he has two children. He worked as a judge for 4 years before studying theology at the Theological Institute of Matana. After ordination he was chaplain of Buhiga secondary school for one year before resuming his theological studies at Uganda Christian University, Mukono.

MEETINGS 

- The Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi attended the meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) at the beginning of September. While discussing the challenges currently facing the Anglican Communion it also looked at those facing the Church in Africa in particular - atheism, oppressive regimes, ethnic and tribal conflicts, and sectarian divisions. There was a call for CAPA to "build up its strategy to be faithful to God's mission."

- The Bishop of Buye, the Rt. Rev. Sixbert Macumi, attended the PROCMURA (Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa) conference in Tanzania that brought together Christian and Muslim leaders to deliberate on how to prevent conflicts and build peace and reconciliation in Eastern Africa.

- The Bishop of Muyinga, the Rt. Rev. Eraste Bigirimana, recently attended the GAFCON Theological Resource Group meeting in Uganda.

WORKSHOP ON PEACE BUILDING 

The programme to increase understanding of issues relating to peace and reconciliation in Burundi continued with a workshop for 60 clergy and lay people representing all the dioceses. Issues discussed included the nature of democracy; transitional justice and good governance; and the role of civil society and the churches in the processes of peace.

VISITORS

The Province welcomed Naomi Herbert and Clare Askew from Mary Sumner House along with Nite Tanzarn and Jenina Nasimolo for the evaluation of the Mothers’ Union Literacy and Development Programme. They were joined by Suzanne Schultz from Five Talents International. The MULDP programme has been running in Burundi since 2000.

Julia Powley, who is currently training for ordination at Ridley Hall Theological College , Cambridge , UK , spent four weeks with the diocese of Matana on placement.