Rwanda: State to Get New Anglican Archbishop

From Rwanda-

The principal of Kigali Anglican Theological College, Louis Muvunyi, will be soon consecrated as the next Anglican Bishop of Kigali Diocese and Archbishop of Anglican Church in Rwanda after being elected by the House of Bishops to replace Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini who has reached the retirement age of 65.

"I am looking forward to see the Church in Rwanda fulfilling its mission and contributing to the healing and the revival of our nation," Muvunyi said in an exclusive interview last week.

The out-going Archbishop, Kolini, described his would-be successor as a deeply spiritual person, theologically able and a humble man, who is widely respected both among his fellow bishops and the entire population.

"I'm so excited that such a disciplined and inspirational figure has come on board; I believe he's a blessing to this nation," Kolini said.

Muvunyi holds a diploma in theology from Mwanza Bible College, Bachelors Degree in Theology from Mukono Christian University in Uganda and a Masters Degree from the International Christian College in Scotland.

Bishop Kolini's retirement is inline with the denomination constitution that mandates the bishops to retire at 65.

"I think I have done my part and it is time for me to pass on the mantle I am an old man who needs to grow old a happy man because those that passed through my hands are now responsible people, I now have a reason to thank God for the gift of the ministry he imparted in my life" Kolini said.

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Church Condemns Election of Openly Gay Bishop

From All Africa-

The Archbishop of the Church of Rwanda, Rt. Rev. Emmanuela Kolini has strongly criticized and condemned the decision of an Anglican diocese in the United States of America to elect an openly gay clergy as the bishop of Diocese of Los Angeles.

In a close-to-call election that took seven ballots, the Diocese of Los Angeles elected an avowed lesbian, Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool to be the next Bishop of the diocese, setting off another storm around the Anglican community six years after the election of Gene Robinson, a non-celibate homosexual, as the Bishop of New Hampshire.

Speaking to The New Times, Kolini condemned the election and said the fact that Mary is a lesbian was against the will of God to place such a person in position of religious leadership.

"I condemn not only the act of electing Glasspool to the position, but also lesbianism as an act against the will of God," Kolini said, adding that it only contributes to divisions in the global Anglican society.

The election of Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, 55, has created a theological rift between The Episcopal Church of America and the vast majority of Anglicans worldwide.

More here-

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Rwanda: Church Leaders Protest Religious Bill

As the dust on the media bill settles, the religious denominations bill seems set to raise its own. Religious leaders from different denominations have converged and made a statement to be presented to the Local Government Ministry and the speaker of parliament for possible amendments to the bill.

The statement which The Sunday Times has seen has suggested that four articles; 21, 32, 36 be amended in order to facilitate their operation in the country. It also says that the above articles make it difficult to start a religious organisation and their proper functioning.

"The bill articulates that for someone to start a church, one must have at least 100 associates to sign in your statute while he/she must be a graduate," the statement reads in part.

Religious leaders protest that starting a church does not require someone to be academically upright but a calling of which most cases follows people with integrity.

"We have found out that because those articles, freedom of worship is dishonoured," the religious leaders state.


Bishop Emmanuel Koline of the Anglican Church yesterday told the Sunday Times that the bill is putting churches in the category of NGOs and associations yet they differ from the two.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200906010532.html