In June 2025, the Diocese of Cyangugu had the privilege of welcoming numerous guests as part of its partnerships and jubilee celebrations. Among them was a delegation from St. Martin Parish in Kaiserslautern, Diocese of Speyer in Germany, led by Mrs. Dorothea Fuchs. Other members of the group included Claudia Berninger, Bénédicte Becht, Angelika Weis, Martin Flock, and Joachim Fuchs.

This visit by the friends from St. Martin Parish was a strong expression of the long-standing friendship and parish partnership between St. Martin Parish and Shangi-Muyange Parishes, a partnership that has existed for 42 years. This fruitful partnership began under the pastoral leadership of Father Norbert Kaiser, then Parish Priest, and has continued to flourish through support for several key local initiatives.

Thanks to this partnership, St. Martin Parish has generously supported various social and pastoral projects in Shangi, including assistance to cooperatives of people living with HIV/AIDS for self-sufficiency and moral support; the construction of the Saint Martin multipurpose hall and hair salon, both of which are valuable facilities for the parish community; the creation of a practical learning center for graduates of the Shangi Vocational Training Center; and educational assistance for students from vulnerable families in the region.

This year’s visit aimed to further strengthen these bonds of friendship and solidarity, while joining the faithful of Shangi Parish, the entire Diocese of Cyangugu, and the Church in Rwanda in celebrating the double jubilee: 2025 years of Christianity and 125 years of evangelization in Rwanda.

The celebration, held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Shangi, carried deep historical and spiritual significance, as Shangi is the site where the first Mass on Rwandan soil was celebrated by the White Fathers in 1900. Truly, the ground of Shangi Parish is holy ground!

It is also worth highlighting the presence of His Excellency Bishop Otto Georgens, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Speyer, who was likewise visiting the Diocese of Cyangugu at the time. He participated in this memorable jubilee celebration in Shangi. The day before, on Friday, June 13, Bishop Georgens and the St. Martin Parish delegation took part in another significant event: the blessing of the newly constructed maternity buildings at Saint Joseph Hospital in Mibirizi.

These buildings were made possible thanks to the support of the Diocese of Speyer, the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, and with the facilitation of the German Jumelage Office in Kigali, a concrete testimony to charity and international partnership.

This visit, deeply rooted in shared faith, historic friendship, and mutual pastoral commitment, powerfully reaffirmed the beauty and fruitfulness of Church collaboration across borders. Long live friendship! Long live parish partnership!

Written by: Fr. Diogène DUFATANYE
Diocese of Cyangugu