Schönstatt - Begegnungen

Pilgrim´s Church Is Sign of Peace in Bloodstained Burundi

Built by Schoenstatt Movement at Height of Ethnic Conflict

Burundi, Mont Sion Gikungu : nouvelle église du pèlerinage consacrée le 26 mai 2002
Burundi, Mont Sion Gikungu: Neue Pilgerkirche, eingeweiht am 26. Mai 2002
Burundi, Mont Sion Gikungu: New Pilgrims' Church, dedicated May 26. 2002
L’église du pèlerinage le jour de la consécration en présence de 12000 pèlerins environ. A l’intérieur de l’église s’entassaient quelque 5000 fidèles ; les autres étaient restés dehors
Pilgerkirche am Weihetag: etwa 12.000 Pilger anwesend: In der Kirche drängten sich etwa 5.000 Gläubige. Alle anderen waren draussen.
Pilgrims' Church on the day of its dedication: appr. 12,000 pilgrims were present; 5,000 were in the church, the others stood outside
Des novices des Sœurs de Marie apportent un tableau de la MTA
Anbringung des MTA-Bildes durch die Novizinnen der Marienschwestern
The novices of the Schoenstatt Sisters brought and attached the MTA picture
Les novices des Pères de Schoenstatt apportent la Croix de l’Unité. Elle a été sculptée par l’artiste local Bernard Bigendako
Die Novizen der Schönstatt-Patres bringen das Kreuz der Einheit (geschnitzt von einheimischen Künstlers Bernard Bigendako)
The novices of the Schoenstatt Fathers brought and attached the big unity cross, crafted by the native artist Bernard Bigendako
La Croix de l’Unité est attachée à son emplacement.
Attaching the unity cross
Anbringung des Kreuzes der Einheit
Consécration de l’autel par Mgr Evariste Ngoyagoye, évêque de Bujumbura
Salbung des Altars durch den Bischof von Bujumbura, Mgr. Evariste Ngoyagoye
Bishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura anointing the altar
Des danseuses et des dons pour les pauvres devant l’autel
Gabenbereitung: Tänzerinnen und Gaben für die Armen vor dem Altar.
Offering: dancers, and gifts for the poor by the altar
Des dons incroyablement riches provenant de paroisses du diocèse de Bujumbura, destinés aux prisonniers de la prison centrale de Bujumbura
Eine unglaubliche reiche Fülle von Gaben aus verschiedenen Pfarreien der Diözese Bujumbura. Bestimmt für die Gefangenen des Zentralgefängnisses von Bujumbura.
An incredible plentitude of gifts offered by the parishes of Bujumbura; the gifts were for the inmates of the central jail of Bujumbura
Les membres de l’Oeuvre de Schoenstatt, des paroissiens, tous apportent des dons pour les pauvres
Schoenstatt members, parishioners... all brought gifts for the poor
Schönstätter, Pfarrangehörige ...alle brachten sie ihre Gaben für die Armen
Après le rite local de l’unité tous boivent ensemble, après le repas, avec des tiges de paille, dans un récipient rempli de bière
Nach dem einheimischen Ritus der Einheit trinken alle, die gemeinsam gegessen haben mit einem Strohhalm für jeden aus dem gemeinsamen Biertopf. Im Foto: Bischof von Bujumbura, Nuntius, P. Paul Zingg und die Frau des Präsidenten des Landes(verdeckt).
According to the native rite of unity, all those who ate together afterwards drink - each one with an individual drinking-straw, from a common pot with beer
Pilgrims' Church and Shrine
Pilgerkirche und Heiligtum
Fotos: Jeria © 2002

BURUNDI, Fr. Paul Zingg. Amid ethnic conflicts, the Pilgrim's Church was blessed recently in Bujumbura, as a sign of peace in bloodstained Burundi. The Mass, attended by 10,000 pilgrims, was concelebrated May 26 by three bishops and 60 priests. The church was consecrated in honor of the Trinity.

In Burundi, the ethnic war between Hutus and Tutsis erupted in October 1993 when Tutsi paratroopers assassinated the central African country's first democratically elected leader, a Hutu. To date, the war has killed 200,000 people, the majority civilians.

The fighting persists, despite the fact that a transitional government was inaugurated in November, following the signing of a power-sharing agreement by President Pierre Buyoya, 17 political parties and the National Assembly.

Bishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura consecrated the church, and Archbishop Michel Courteney, apostolic nuncio, read a message from John Paul II, calling for reconciliation and peace in the country of 6.2 million, which continues to be racked by civil war.

Political Leaders present - and Thousands of Refugees

Bishop Joseph Nduhirubusa of Ruyigy, who recently had been kidnapped by rebels, also attended the four-hour Mass. Also present were prominent political leaders, including Sophie Buyoya, the president's wife, and thousands of refugees who have been living on the city's outskirts since January.

The Pilgrim's Church has a seating capacity of 3,000 and an adjacent amphitheater. The Pilgrim's Church is located in the Mount Sion Gijungu Schoenstatt center, which since its blessing in 1994 has become a key pilgrimage center.

Fourty Years of Schoenstatt's Presence in Burundi

Last month was the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the first three Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Mutumba, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the Burundi capital. The four Schoenstatt priests who work at the center belong to the Swiss province. There are 11 religious in formation.

The architect of the church is Edmond Remondino of Switzerland, who has lived in Burundi for over 20 years. Donations from Europe and from Burundi's Catholics paid for the construction.

Translation: Zenit



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