The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gikongoro, Monsignor (Mgr) Célestin Hakizimana, announces the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the Basilica dedicated to the Mother of the Word in Kibeho for July 2022.
“To date, we have signed the working memorandum with the American partners. We will soon make it concrete. The first stone for the construction of the building will be laid in July 2022,” said Bishop Hakizimana.
Mrs Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan-American, is coordinating the mobilisation of funds in the United States of America (USA). She is confident, but the ball is still in the clergy’s court, according to her.
“We have signed a memorandum but we are still waiting for the green light from the diocese to start the actual fundraising. But believe me, never has a project of the Virgin Mary lacked funding,” says Ms Ilibagiza.
The construction of the Kibeho Basilica is expected to cost more than 50 million US dollars (US$), or 50.973 billion Rwandan francs, with a capacity of more than 10,000 seats.
The Basilica of Kibeho should rise majestically at the place where the Mother of the Word appeared in 1982.
The Nyaruguru district is following the progress of the negotiations with interest. “The project is there. But for its implementation, a dialogue is needed,” says Mayor Emmanuel Murwanashyaka. He adds that he is not in a position to provide more details at the moment.
Domice Gasarabwe
