Dr. Gahima was elected on September 11 to succeed Dr. Mbanda, whose tenure has been marked by the church’s growing membership, efforts to achieve financial self-reliance and its decision to distance itself from the Church of England over what it considers departures from biblical teachings.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Mbanda said he was satisfied with the election of his successor and described Dr. Gahima as a humble, trustworthy and experienced leader who has served in education, local government and the church.
“He is a person who loves evangelism and is a leader,” Dr. Mbanda said, adding that he and the other bishops were pleased with his election.
Dr. Mbanda said he leaves the Anglican Church in Rwanda in a strong position after eight years of growth. He said every diocese has recorded an increase in membership and expanded its evangelism activities.
He cited the Community Bible Study programme, which started in one diocese and has now expanded across all dioceses, reaching about 200,000 people who study the Bible while also receiving support aimed at improving their livelihoods.
The church has also established two new dioceses since 2018, in Karongi and Nyaruguru, while new parishes and churches have been established in different parts of the country.
Dr. Mbanda said one of the major challenges during his tenure was changing people’s understanding of the church’s mission. He argued that evangelism should address both spiritual and material needs, including food, healthcare and livelihoods.
He said the church has also prioritised financial self-reliance and has reduced its dependence on external funding.
Asked what he would like his successor to focus on, Dr. Mbanda said Dr. Gahima should preserve the unity of the church and maintain its direction while building on the foundation already established.
“I would advise him to remain firm in Christ, keep Christ at the centre of the church, uphold the Word of God and place it at the centre of the church,” he said.
Dr. Mbanda also addressed the Anglican Church in Rwanda’s disagreement with the Church of England, saying the dispute was primarily about biblical teachings rather than the appointment of a woman to leadership.
He said the Anglican Church in Rwanda has women in leadership positions, including female pastors, and that the central issue was what he described as the promotion of teachings that conflict with the Bible.
On same-sex relationships, Dr. Mbanda said people should not be prevented from attending church or hearing the Word of God.
“We do not prevent anyone from hearing the Word of God,” he said. “We believe it changes people and that people need to be saved.”
However, he said the church would not accept people in same-sex relationships serving as bishops or pastors, arguing that church leaders must meet the standards set out in the Bible.
Dr. Mbanda said the decision to distance the Rwandan church from the Church of England had not harmed it financially or otherwise. He said the church had lost some forms of support but had replaced them through its own activities.
“When you are self-reliant, you have a voice,” he said, arguing that the church should not compromise its beliefs for financial support.
Although Dr. Mbanda will leave the position of Archbishop in October, he said he would remain active in Christian ministry and expected to undertake other responsibilities within the Global Anglican Communion.
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