Catholic Church believers in Gikondo build a 1600-seater cathedral worth Rwf700 million

Catholic Church believers from Gikondo parish have today inaugurated a newly refurbished1600-seater cathedral. 1/3 of the building cost was generated from the mass pledges, an activity that has been described as a testament of the power of unity by the Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Kambanda.

The construction works of Saint Vincent Pallotti Parish cost about Rwf700 million. Contribution from church members amounted to Rwf400 million.

 The seemingly jubilant catholic faithful said the completion of this complex serves as a testimony for their quest of self-reliance.

While officiating at the inauguration of the new cathedral, the Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Kambanda, affirmed that the facility is as a result of goodwill and unity of the church and a proof of what can be achieved if people work together.

"The message we get from this is that this cathedral is a sign of a true church of true believers that pulled efforts together in love and togetherness to do something extraordinary," Archbishop Kambanda said. 

The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the registrar of faith-based organisations in Rwanda, has commended the initiative, saying that it relates well wit0h the government policy of encouraging people to find home-grown solutions among themselves.

Saint Vincent Pallotti Gikondo parish has the capacity to accommodate 1600 people, replacing the old one that could only accommodate 800 people. Believers say it fits logic that a person would enjoy worshiping from a good church just as much as they wish to live in a good house.