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Burundian Church Leaders Encourage Unity, Acknowledge Diversity

Episcopal News Service. November 22, 2004 [112204-3-A]

Matthew Davies

Relationships between the Episcopal Church and Anglican provinces in Africa were strengthened as Anglican leaders from Burundi made a two week visit to New York, bringing news from their provinces and acknowledging dialogue as being crucial to the future wellbeing of the Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Ndayisenga, Primate of Burundi since 1998, offered words of encouragement about the unity of the Anglican Communion. "We came to visit as friends. We have many partnerships," he said. "We do not want separation. We are urging the Anglican Communion to remain together. What is a mistake in one country is not a mistake in another, so you cannot judge. We must not lose the focus of love, faith and unity. It is the work of the church to unite the people."

Joined by the Rev. Pascal Bigirimana, provincial secretary of the Episcopal Church of Burundi, Ndayisenga said he is heartened by the many conversations in which he had engaged during his visit, "because it is by talking, by dialogue, by listening with all our heart that we can feel that we are supported."

Bigirimana noted that he would never expect the Anglican Communion to be similar everywhere. "We want unity and diversity," he said. "We want to see a communion of people from different backgrounds but focusing on Christ and seeking the Kingdom of God, and a community which is characterized by Christian love: a community that is not -- shall we say -- judging each other, a community which is committed to praying for each other and to minding the needs of one another."

Source of hope

Addressing some of the socio-political concerns in Burundi, a country that has been ravaged by war since 1993, Bigirimana said that most Burundians need reassurance and that this is something they can achieve through knowing the Gospel of Christ. "We have succeeded in maintaining the Burundian people in peace and unity," he said. "There are problems in Burundi, but there are not many problems with Burundians. The church has done tremendous work in helping people to remain united."

Much of the conflict is political, Bigirimana lamented, expressing his trust in the international community. "If they help our politicians to find their way and the political issues are resolved, there won't be any social issues," he said.

But in the midst of Bigirimana's concerns, a message of hope. "We have told [the government] that they are abusing the people, and the politicians are now turning to us because they realize the tremendous work of the church," he said. "They value much that with the church they can bring Burundi far." At the request of the government, the church has agreed to monitor the upcoming elections on November 26.

Further optimism is characterized in the strong ecumenical ties that exist throughout the province. "Sometimes we can unite [with other denominations] to address common issues and ... tell the government what the denominations think," Bigirimana said.

Reaffirming the strong ties that exist between the Episcopal Church, USA, and the Episcopal Church of Burundi, Bigirimana said, "We'd like to thank the Church in America for the support that they have shown us. They need us as we need them and as long as we continue to exchange dialogue some issues would finish by themselves rather than arriving at confrontation."