Burundi and the Holy See maintain strong relations

The Holy See and the Republic of Burundi celebrated, on february 11, 2023, the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations and the creation of the Apostolic Nunciature in Burundi. The ceremonies took place at the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi after an Eucharistic Mass celebrated at the Regina Mundi Cathedral.

According to Mgr Dieudonné Datanou  the Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi, the diplomatic relations began on december 16, 1962 during the visit of the King of Burundi to the Vatican at the invitation of the Pope and were deepened by the creation of the Apostolic Nunciature in Burundi on february 11. 1963. For the Nuncio, the 60^th  anniversary is a celebration for those who are committed to helping Burundi to germinate. He also returned to the contribution of the Catholic Church in the health and education sector.

In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO expressed his pride, that of the Government and the people of Burundi, for having been among the very first African countries to establish diplomatic relations at the level of Embassy with the Vatican State. He welcomed the tangible results resulting from the harmonious and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties, especially in the health and education sectors, which contribute to the development of Burundi. For example, he pointed out, a good number of Burundian intellectuals are the fruits of schools under Catholic convention.

During the sixty-year period of cooperation  between Burundi and the Holy See, there have been pleasant moments along the way, such as the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in september 1990, a visit which will have left all the Burundian people in great admiration of this very high personality as well as many good memories. Official or working visits to the Vatican have been made by the highest Burundian personalities, starting with King MWAMBUTSA IV, former President Pierre NKURUNZIZA in 2009 and that of His Excellency Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, President of the Republic in march 2022. During this beautiful period all was not ruddy, both parties were confronted with some difficult moments which could leave traces of bitterness and resentment in the hearts. The major challenge encountered was observed under the 2^nd Republic where relations between Burundi and the Catholic Church were paralyzed and the assassination of the Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Michael Courtney during the hard times of the Burundian crisis. However, relations between Burundi and the Holy See were quickly revitalized.

Minister Albert SHINGIRO reminded that strong relations had been established between the two States, the symbiosis between the Burundian population and the Catholic Church as well as the combined efforts of all nevertheless helped not to give in to panic and to pursue a good path to shape a bright future in the relations between Burundi and the Holy See. This short page in the history of relations between the two parties was an accident that they have definitively closed and transformed into an asset to embellish and further warm relations with the Vatican.

The Minister concluded his speech by calling on the various development partners to bring, each according to their capacities, support to the efforts of the Burundian Government for the implementation of the National Development Plan of Burundi and the fierce fight led by the President of the Republic against poverty and above all its efforts aimed at building a Burundi that is respected and respectful of others.