Dictionary

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Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

Deacon

‘Deacon’ comes the Greek word for ‘servant’. Deacons in the Church in Wales have special roles within worship such as proclaiming the gospel. Traditionally, deacons have had responsibility for social care. Deacons often go on to be ordained priest.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Evangelism

‘Evangelion’ means ‘good news’. Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in the hope that others may come to believe in and follow Jesus.

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Theological

‘Theology’ means literally ‘words about God’. Christian theology involves our trying to understand and explain what God has revealed about himself through Scripture. This work is aided by the writings of past and present theologians and human reason.

Home Pobl Dewi Bunyakiri

Bunyakiri

In his latest article, Roger Dirokpa, from our Companion Diocese of Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, considers the Archdeaconry of Bunyakiri

Bunyakiri is a territorial entity located in the far north of the province of South Kivu, about 72km from the city of Bukavu.

The Anglican Church was planted at Bunyakiri in 1981 and was supervised by the Evangelist Masumbuko Lubala sent from Bukavu. The church started growing; five chapels were opened and developed later into the sub-parish of Bunyakiri. Catechists were sent from Bunyakiri as evangelists to bring people to church.

In 1995, Masumbuko Lubala returned to Bukavu as co-ordinator of the Alphabetiszation department and was replaced by the Evangelist Babika Kakunda Jeremie, who was later to become Archdeacon of Bunyakiri. He was ordained deacon in 1996 and priest in 1997.

That same year, in 1997, the sub-parish of Bunyakiri was created in the Diocese of Bukavu, under the leadership of Revd Babika.

The evangelism work attracted many believers and many other sub-parishes around Bunyakiri were planted such as Chaminunu, Ntulo, Kachuba, Chibinda, Cholobera and Kalambo. Those sub-parishes became parishes in 2007. Many schools and health care centres were opened.

In 2015, the Bukavu Diocesan Council decided to create the new Archdeaconry of Bunyakiri. Revd Babika, the Dean of Bunyakiri, was appointed Archdeacon, where he remains today.

The Archdeaconry of Bunyakiri has sent some people for theological studies in Aru and Bukavu and two have gone to Bukavu to study medicine.

At present, the Archdeaconry of Bunyakiri has one Archdeacon, 4 Deacons and 6 Priests. The Church of Bunyakiri has bought land to build churches and schools. This archdeaconry has 17 schools (13 primary, 4 secondary) and 3 health care centres.

As for difficulties, the structure of many school buildings is still rudimentary due to the lack of funding and the poverty of the local population,.There is also lack of security with the presence of many local armed groups. The precarious condition of priests and their families living in poverty also slows down the work of God.

The Archdeaconry of Bunyakiri needs your prayers and support to push on with our work for the Kingdom of God.