{The Bishop of Byumba Diocese, Nzakamwita Servilien has rejected as false rumours by a woman, Mukakaregeya Mary, who claims to have begot two children with a late priest of Byumba Diocese requesting the Catholic Church to take care of them on behalf of the late priest and pass over the late’s estate to his children.
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Mukakaregeya form Gicumbi district says that she gave birth to two children with the late priest Mukiga Théophile who died in Belgium in 2002, claiming the priest could provide child support before passing on.
She narrates that children have started experiencing life difficulties since Byumba diocese has refused to extend support to them yet they expected to as well take over the late’s estate.
Mukakaregeya says that the late Mukiga had movable wealth he owned in Belgium and money which she claims to have gone missing since his demise.
In an interview held with IGIHE, Monsignor Nzakamwita Servilien said he knows a thing or two about the issue.
“I know that woman. She claims to have produced children with the late priest Mukiga before I became bishop in 1980s. When I was appointed bishop, the woman brought to me the case and I advised her. It would be better if she respected the advice.
Catholic Church supports everyone. If she wants to be helped she must pass through common ways of people seeking assistance other than coming complaining to have begot with a priest which is not clear,” he said.
Monsignor Nzakamwita explained that he brought together Mukaruregeya and the priest when he was alive to find a way of bringing up their children.
“When priest Mukiga was alive, I connected her to him to discuss their case. What he did deviates from the church acceptable practices. The sin is onto an individual who committed it not the church,” he said.
{{Does the Catholic Church supports bereaved family members of priest Mukiga?}}
Monsignor Nzakamwita said that when a priest dies, it is a tragedy for his relatives and the church as well. When a priest dies, the family receives the wealth of the deceased.
“The property of priest Mukiga was handed to his family after his death. These include books, clothes and I gave his family the money which was on Mukiga’s account,” he said.
Regarding the case of Mukakaregeya Bishop Nzakamwita explained that Mukakaregeya has no relationship with Mukiga.
“What is the relationship between them? Provided that they didn’t get united through a legal wedding or church assisted wedding, for what reason should we give Mukiga’s property to the woman?”
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