Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has received the vows of celibacy in perpetuity from nun Francine Mbateye Umuhoza Aimée from the Emmanuel Community. The ceremony was held at Regina Pacis Church in Remera in the presence of many Catholic leaders, including Bishop Célestin Hakizimana from Gikongoro. But above all the High Guest at the ceremony was Ambassador Hazza Alqahtani representing the United Arab Emirates in Rwanda.
He delivered an important message from his country which is linked to Tolerance and Cohabitation in a country with more than 200 nationalities.
“In 2019, the Holy Father Francis came to the United Arab Emirates. He appreciated the level of Dialogue and mutual respect in a country which has a diversity of religions, cultures and nationalities. This country has demonstrated how to maintain Tolerance, Peace and Diversity. It is thanks to this specification that the UAE has been able to face such pernicious extremists in some countries, ”said Ambassador Hazza Alqahtani.
For Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Pope Francis’ visit to the United Arab Emirates was an opportunity to bring to the attention of the public an important text “We are all Brothers”, which is inspired by the heritage of Sean Francis of Assise to contribute to establish peace.
“Sean Francis of Assise calls creatures to live in peace with God. He even urges the wolf of the hills to give rest to men overwhelmed by poor living conditions,”Cardinal Kambanda said.
Then Cardinal Kambanda spoke to the nun Francine Mbateye who has now definitively consecrated herself to God.
“Devoting yourself to God is proof of a strong and deep sense of love. Nothing is of value in the world except God. Ntakirutimana, said to be the national language, Kinyarwanda ”. The first communities that used to consecrate themselves to God retired to caves or the desert, still animated by their faith. Francine is also the example of a sister committed to living in celibacy. It is a way of building charisma and making a vow of poverty. It should be noted in this regard that the early Seans were lay people. This is why we must initiate others into prayer, meditation and exchange with God. For this, the family is the basis of faith. It is a home church. It is therefore more strategic to always strengthen the homes,”added Cardinal Kambanda. (End)