Diocese of Ruhengeri

Dioecesis Ruhengeriensis

Bishop(s)

Vincent Harolimana, Bishop
Phocas Nikwigize, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 20 December 1960
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Kigali
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Rwanda
Square Kilometers: 1,762 (680 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Curia Diocesaine de Ruhengeri, Avenue Mikeno, B.P. 45, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Telephone: 252.546.239
Fax: 252.546.930

Past and Present Ordinaries

Bernard Manyurane † (20 Dec 1960 Appointed - 8 May 1961 Died)
Joseph Sibomana † (21 Aug 1961 Appointed - 5 Sep 1969 Appointed, Bishop of Kibungo)
Phocas Nikwigize (5 Sep 1968 Appointed - 5 Jan 1996 Retired)
Kizito Bahujimihigo (21 Nov 1997 Appointed - 28 Aug 2007 Appointed, Bishop of Kibungo)
Vincent Harolimana (31 Jan 2012 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
20 December 1960	Erected	Archdiocese of Kabgayi Diocese of Nyundo	Diocese of Ruhengeri (erected)
5 November 1981	Territory Lost	Diocese of Kabgayi Diocese of Kibungo Diocese of Ruhengeri	Diocese of Byumba (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1970 241,315 970,464 24.9% 28 31 59 4,090 49 80 15 ap1971

1980 370,764 1,201,000 30.9% 27 31 58 6,392 53 124 16 ap1981

1990 286,471 692,640 41.4% 22 27 49 5,846 40 110 11 ap1991

1999 378,563 790,000 47.9% 9 11 20 18,928 11 30 11 ap2000

2000 387,578 700,000 55.4% 8 17 25 15,503 17 50 11 ap2001

2001 406,047 857,745 47.3% 12 20 32 12,688 21 56 11 ap2002

2002 418,299 850,115 49.2% 19 21 40 10,457 27 48 11 ap2003

2003 428,380 829,072 51.7% 21 20 41 10,448 24 46 11 ap2004

2004 446,440 849,021 52.6% 25 18 43 10,382 27 58 11 ap2005

2010 488,000 989,000 49.3% 42 15 57 8,561 25 77 11 ap2011

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1970	241,315	970,464	24.9%	28	31	59	4,090	49	80	15	ap1971
1980	370,764	1,201,000	30.9%	27	31	58	6,392	53	124	16	ap1981
1990	286,471	692,640	41.4%	22	27	49	5,846	40	110	11	ap1991
1999	378,563	790,000	47.9%	9	11	20	18,928	11	30	11	ap2000
2000	387,578	700,000	55.4%	8	17	25	15,503	17	50	11	ap2001
2001	406,047	857,745	47.3%	12	20	32	12,688	21	56	11	ap2002
2002	418,299	850,115	49.2%	19	21	40	10,457	27	48	11	ap2003
2003	428,380	829,072	51.7%	21	20	41	10,448	24	46	11	ap2004
2004	446,440	849,021	52.6%	25	18	43	10,382	27	58	11	ap2005
2010	488,000	989,000	49.3%	42	15	57	8,561	25	77	11	ap2011

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Kizito Bahujimihigo (Bishop: 21 Nov 1997 to 28 Aug 2007)
Vincent Harolimana (Bishop: 31 Jan 2012 - )
Phocas Nikwigize (Bishop: 5 Sep 1968 to 5 Jan 1996)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Bernard Manyurane † (Bishop: 20 Dec 1960 to 8 May 1961)
Joseph Sibomana † (Bishop: 21 Aug 1961 to 5 Sep 1969)