Nzakamwita,79, who served as the Bishop of Byumba Diocese was sent to retirement recently after Pope Francis appointed Papias Musengamana to replace him in February 2022.
The appointment was announced three years after Bishop Nzakamwita wrote to the Pope to grant him retirement which is reached at the age of 75.
Speaking to Radio Rwanda, Bishop Nzakamwita has revealed that he wants to spend his retirement time at Rwesero Junior Seminary.
“I chose the seminary when asked the preferred place where I was to be given an apartment for my retirement. The seminary is a home where we upbring future priests. All students educated there might not become priests but they become good leaders and well educated people. It has been observed that seminaries produce good leaders and parents who properly assume their parenting duties,” he said.
“So, I am set to join the seminary as their grandfather. I am going to educate children and grandchildren in collaboration with the seminary’s management so that we can nurture them and train them to be generous and strive for personal development to become useful children and aspiring future leaders of this country. It will also be a good pathway for dedicated priests to continue helping Christians along the journey of Christianity,” added Bishop Nzakamwita.
He joins other retiring Bishops including the former Bishop of Kibungo Diocese, Frederick Rubwejanga, Thadée Ntihinyurwa of Kigali, Alexis Habiyambere of Nyundo, Anastase Mutabazi of Kabgayi and Kizito Bahujimihigo of Kibungo.
The Archbishop of Kigali Diocese, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda recently told IGIHE that the Catholic Church has a great memory on activities of Bishop Nzakamwita.
He explained that Nzakamwita contributed a lot to reconciling Rwandans as he particularly led Christians with fresh wounds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Cardinal Kambanda also revealed that Nzakamwita served the church as much as he could in his capacities in spreading the Gospel and contributed to family development through the resolution of disputes and promoting their wellbeing among others.
Bishop Nzakamwita was born on 20th April 1943 in former Commune Kiyombe of Byumba Prefecture in the current Nyagatare District.
From 1952 to 1957, he studied Primary School in Kabare, Rushaki and Rwaza, from where he continued studies at Rwesero Junior Seminary.
He joined the Nyakibanda Major Seminary in 1965 and ordained priest on 11th July 1971 in Rushaki Parish. He began apostolic duties at Ruhengeri Cathedral where he spent five years before moving to Janja Parish as Chief Priest.
In 1989, he went to I Lumen Vitae in Belgium for further studies and returned in 1991 to teach at Rutongo Major Seminary until 25th March 1996 when he was appointed Bishop of Byumba Diocese. He was installed Bishop on 2nd July 1996.
He is among protectors of friendship pact due to his contribution to unity and reconciliation among Rwandans after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
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