New Rwandan primate installed: The Church of England Newspaper, Jan 28, 2011.

President Paul Kagame and Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje greet the press following the archbishop's installation as primate of Rwanda. Photo: Bishop Silas Ng

First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.

Church and State must work hand in hand to better the lives of the people of Africa, President Paul Kagame said on Jan 24 at the installation of the new primate of Rwanda, Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje.

In his address to the congregation gathered at the Kigali University stadium, President Kagame said the “government cannot do much without the help of the church, the private sector and the community itself.”

When church and state work together they fulfill God’s plan for his people, he said.

The president thanked outgoing Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini for his ministry in the wake of the 1994 genocide.  “Understanding and action goes together,” the president said, adding that he had witnessed how the Anglican Church of Rwanda during the past 13 years under Archbishop Kolini had taken positive steps toward rebuilding the nation and fostering peace and unity.

The present also pledged his government’s support for the new archbishop.  Archbishop Rwaje responded by noting the Anglican Church of Rwanda has been “working with other Christian denominations and the Muslim community in fostering peace and educational development, I also pledge to continue the relationship especially by strengthening the fight against poverty and HIV/Aids.”

In his sermon, the Primate of Burundi, Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, expounded upon 2 Kings, likening the passing of authority from Elijah to Elisha to the changing order within the Rwandan Church, with God’s power and authority passing onto a new anointed leader.