wfn.org | Archbishop of Canterbury Praises Anglican Church of Burundi

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 4009     |     BURUNDI	|     19 JULY 2005

Archbishop of Canterbury Praises Anglican Church of Burundi

Photographs for this article are abailable here:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/40/00/acns4009.cfm

Archbishop Rowan Williams and Mrs. Williams were greeted with jubilant
traditional drumming and dancing at their arrival in Bujumbura,
Burundi's capital, last Friday. This first-ever visit of an Archbishop
of Canterbury to the Province of Burundi comes at a time of rebuilding
following years of civil strife in that country.

Upon his arrival, the Archbishop said that the aim of his visit was to
"affirm and praise the work of the Anglican Church in Burundi" and "to
show that we pray and care for the needs of the nation." He expressed
his "hope that the church, under its new leadership, will continue the
great work that it has done for reconciliation and development."
Concluding, the Archbishop said: "So, we are here to celebrate with the
church; we are also here to learn what we can do to assist the process
of reconciliation."

Archbishop Williams resumed his words of encouragement to the Church of
Burundi in his sermon at the enthronement of Archbishop Bernard
Ntahoturi, two days later. He reminded the Church that it is "supported
by Christ alone" and implored those gathered in Burundi's national
stadium: "Depend on him in faith, and you will fully play your part in
helping this nation to be transformed and led towards God's peace and
justice."

On Monday morning, the Archbishop met with the House of Bishops of
Burundi in order to hear the bishop's concerns and hopes for the
province as a whole and for their individual ministries. Theological
education for clergy and laity was a prominent theme of this meeting.

Later in the day, Archbishop Williams spoke about the importance of
higher education in an address to students at Burundi University. "The
university," he said, "has the task of not only educating its own
students, but of educating the whole society." In a post-conflict
context, he said, it is important "for the university to help people
throughout the country to imagine a different kind of life for
themselves. Lasting peace and reconciliation will only come when people
see a wider world in which their choices have a meaning."

Archbishop Williams then visited the Kamenge Quarter, an area of
Bujumbura particularly affected by the recently ended civil conflict,
where the church is now making a significant contribution to rebuilding
and development.

Archbishop Williams' activities on Tuesday morning will include a tour
of a school, a hospital, and a theological college in the Diocese of
Matana. In the afternoon, he and Mrs. Williams will attend a reception
hosted by the President of the Republic of Burundi, HE Mr. Domitien
Ndayizeye. Mrs Williams will also visit a Mothers' Union literacy
project in Gatumba and the university hospital in Bujumbura.

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