Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Wednesday June 5, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro received in audience Monsignor Dieudonné Datonou, Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi. The two personalities discussed the subjects of common interest relating to bilateral cooperation between Burundi and the Holy See.
Not that on February 11, 2023, the Holy See and the Republic of Burundi celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations and the creation of the Apostolic Nunciature in Burundi. Those began on December 16, 1962 during the visit of the Burundian King 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.
Burundi was among the very first African countries in establishing the diplomatic relations at the level of Embassy with the Vatican State. The relations between Burundi and the Vatican State have always been very good, except under the 2nd Republic where the conflict between the State and the Catholic Church greatly deteriorated them, particularly between the years 1985 and 1987. That conflict which had paralyzed the initiatives of participation of the Catholic Church in the development of Burundi, was absorbed in 1987 with the advent of the 3rd Republic.
Burundi has signed the several cooperation agreements with the Vatican defining and guaranteeing the legal status of the Catholic Church in Burundi and the rules for its functioning in various areas, such as the religious marriages, the places of worship, the Catholic institutions, the assistance and the charitable activities of the Church. To the credit of the cooperative relations with the Vatican, it is essential to underline the role of the Catholic Church in Burundi in the determining field of education where the Vatican has provided the invaluable support in the education and training of millions of Burundian citizens and in the construction and equipment of many schools until today.
Generally speaking, the relations between Burundi and the Vatican have evolved positively if we refer to the visits exchanged between Burundi and the Vatican as well as the various messages of support sent by the Popes and his successors to the Government and the people. Burundian. The Government of Burundi welcomes the moral and the diplomatic support of the Holy See, particularly in the peace process, in order to achieve a true national reconciliation essential for the moral development of the Burundian people and the development of the country. It should also be kept in mind that the Burundian education system continues to benefit greatly from the Vatican’s contribution.