Présentation du Diocèse

From a geographical point of view, this diocese is separated from the Diocese of Gikongoro by the Mwogo River. The southern part touches Burundi while the northern part touches the boundary of Kabgayi Diocese. In the South East there is the Archdiocese of Kigali.

Founded on September 11, 1961, the Diocese of Butare, originally named Astrida, was part of the ecclesiastical constituency of the Archdiocese of Kabgayi. Its area was 4,684 km² until 1976 when a new division with the Diocese of Kabgayi reduced it a little. After the decrease of 1989 and the creation of the new Diocese of Gikongoro in 1992, the area becomes 1,958 Km².

His first Bishop, His Excellency Monsignor Jean Baptiste GAHAMANYI, was ordained a bishop on January 6, 1962. His motto was "In Caritate and Pace". He resigned his episcopal office in January 1997 and died on June 19, 1999. His successor, His Excellency Monsignor Philippe RUKAMBA, was appointed Bishop on January18, 1997 ; his episcopal ordination took place on April 12 of the same year. His motto is : "Considerate Iesum". Currently the Diocese of Butare has 26 parishes.