On September 3, 2025, at Centre Diocésain de Pastoral Incuti (CDPI Hotel), Cyangugu Diocese held a workshop to present and share its new 10-Year Strategic Pastoral Framework (SPF 2025–2035).
The session was officially opened by Most Rev. Edouard SINAYOBYE, Bishop of Cyangugu, who warmly thanked Dr. Bernardin RUTWAZA for his great contribution in guiding the diocesan team that coordinated the drafting of this framework. The Bishop reminded all participants that this is not a document to be kept or locked in drawers, but a reference tool to inspire and guide planning, management, and action across the Diocese.
The workshop brought together the Bishop, the Vicar General and Pastoral Coordinator, representatives of the Presbyteral Council, the Pastoral Council, the College of Consultors, parish priests, representatives of Catholic schools, and leaders of various diocesan commissions.
Why a 10-Year Strategic Framework?
The facilitator, Dr. Bernardin RUTWAZA, explained that the Diocese chose a 10-year horizon in order to:
- Build on previous experiences of pastoral planning.
- Foster lasting change, recognizing that real transformation requires time.
- Provide a broad vision for the future that ensures coherent direction, stable leadership despite contextual changes, and better coordination among all pastoral actors.
From now on, every pastoral activity in the Diocese, whether in commissions, chaplaincies, diocesan services, or parishes, will draw inspiration from this strategic framework.
Seven Strategic Sectors
The framework identifies seven priority sectors:
- Organizational Structure of the Diocese – Strengthening diocesan structures and increasing financial resources for pastoral work.
- Evangelization – Deepening evangelization practices, enhancing active participation in liturgy, strengthening pastoral structures, and promoting priestly formation and wellbeing.
- Family Pastoral Care – Promoting the dignity of marriage and family, supporting natural family planning, and empowering the Diocesan Commission for the Family.
- Children and Youth Pastoral Care – Strengthening parish-based support for children and youth, and equipping diocesan commissions to serve them better.
- Catholic Education – Promoting Christian spirituality in schools, ensuring quality education, and reinforcing the Catholic Education Commission.
- Caritas – Expanding social and charitable works for the vulnerable, fostering economic development of the active poor, protecting the environment, strengthening resilience to climate change, and promoting health pastoral care.
- Justice and Peace – Promoting social cohesion, peacebuilding, the protection of human rights, and strengthening the diocesan Justice and Peace Commission.
These sectors were chosen because they provide a holistic pastoral vision that addresses both the spiritual and socio-economic needs of the population, in line with Christian values and human dignity.
Guiding principles
The document emphasizes seven guiding principles:
- Living the spirit of synodality: a participatory, transparent, and missionary Church, close to the vulnerable.
- Affirming Catholic identity while serving all people in love and justice.
- Encouraging pastoral innovation and new methods to respond to current challenges.
- Promoting professionalism in pastoral work through training, standard tools, and evaluation.
- Strengthening coordination and synergy among pastoral actors.
- Building strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Ensuring sustainability through strong structures and grassroots ownership.
Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation
The Diocesan Finance Office (Economat Diocésain) and the Pastoral Coordination Office will oversee the implementation. Each parish, service, and commission will prepare its own plans based on the diocesan framework. Plans will be developed at three levels:
- 5-year strategic plans (2025–2030 and 2030–2035)
- Annual and short-term plans
- Evaluation every 5 years, including external reviews
The framework also calls for documenting and capitalizing on experiences, ensuring visibility of actions, and building a culture of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting across all diocesan structures.
A Culture of vision and professionalism
Through this 10-year Strategic Framework, the Diocese of Cyangugu clearly shows its commitment to a culture of planning, clear vision, professionalism, and accountability. This document will serve as a living reference, inspiring coordinated action and strengthening the mission of the Church to evangelize, serve, and promote integral human development in our communities.
Prepared by Fr Diogene DUFATANYE/ Cyangugu Diocese