Kibeho bishop urges Legion of Mary to reach Catholics affected by church closures

By The Inspirer.

The Bishop of Butare Diocese, Jean Bosco Ntagungira, has urged members of the Legion of Mary to reach out to Catholics whose faith has weakened, particularly those living near churches that have remained closed for two years, and help them resume prayer and strengthen their Christian lives.

Ntagungira made the call on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during an annual pilgrimage to Kibeho, where thousands of Legion of Mary members from dioceses across Rwanda gathered to pray at the Marian shrine.

He presided over the Eucharistic celebration on behalf of Bishop Vincent Harolimana, who oversees the movement and was outside Rwanda on official duties.

In his homily, Ntagungira challenged members to reflect on their mission as the “Army of Mary”, questioning whether they were living up to their responsibilities by helping people who had drifted away from their faith, supporting those facing difficulties and promoting reconciliation.

He said the movement’s mission should go beyond bearing the name of the Virgin Mary and be demonstrated through practical acts of service.

Reaching Catholics affected by church closures

Ntagungira urged Legion of Mary members to reach out to Catholics who no longer attend services, including those living in communities where parish churches, sub-parishes and smaller worship centres have been closed.

He called on leaders of grassroots Christian communities, prayer groups and other structures within the movement to identify people who need support rather than limiting their activities to those who continue attending church.

“Where you live, what is the Virgin Mary asking you to do? Are you in a parish that has been closed for two years, or in a sub-parish that has been shut down and become deserted? Are you in a grassroots Christian community that has not met for a long time, or among families that are fighting and quarrelling? Army of Mary, are we still carrying out our mission?” he asked.

He stressed that belonging to the Catholic Church or an apostolic movement was not enough if it did not translate into actions that help others.

The bishop urged members not to abandon Catholics who had become discouraged but instead visit them, restore their hope and help them return to a life of prayer.

“We have weapons with which to defend ourselves: the Rosary and the Word of Jesus Christ. So rise and go to those who have not prayed for a long time, those who have been discouraged because their churches are closed. Go to them, because the Church is where two or three people gather; it is not just bricks,” he said.

Ntagungira explained that the Church should not be understood solely as a physical building. Christians themselves are central to sustaining the life of the faith community, and even when a church building is closed, believers should be helped to maintain fellowship, prayer and their faith.

He also called on members to support families experiencing conflict and people who have lost hope, encouraging reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

“Families that are not living together peacefully, or those whose relationships are troubled, must be reached. You officers, leaders of prayer groups and presidents, think about them, because the devil is taking many things away from us, yet you are here as the Army of Mary,” he said.

He urged each member to identify someone who needed help and approach them, even if they were reluctant to accept assistance at first.

Church closures continue to affect Catholic communities

The bishop’s message comes amid continued debate over the closure of places of worship in Rwanda following inspections in 2024 to assess compliance with regulations governing faith-based organisations and the safety of worship facilities.

At the end of July 2024, authorities inspected worship venues across the country and ordered the closure of facilities that did not meet the required standards. These included legal documentation, building safety, hygiene, fire prevention measures and requirements for religious leaders.

In a statement issued in March 2026, Catholic bishops from Rwanda and Burundi meeting under the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACOREB) said around 20 Catholic parish churches and many other sub-parish churches in Rwanda remained closed. They called for dialogue and measures to enable facilities that had met the requirements to reopen.

The closures have raised concerns about the effects on believers who previously relied on those churches for communal worship and spiritual support.

Ntagungira urged Legion of Mary members to ensure that such Catholics were not forgotten or discouraged because their usual places of worship remained shut.

Putting the mission of Mary into practice

The bishop also reflected on the message associated with the Virgin Mary’s apparitions at Kibeho, saying Mary’s mission was to bring together people who had become divided and call them to repentance, reconciliation and love.

He encouraged pilgrims to think beyond those who were able to attend the gathering or continue participating in church activities, including people who were ill, living with disabilities or struggling with their faith.

“Mary came to bring back the hearts of those who had become scattered and those who had gone astray. She came to tell us that this is a place of gathering and bringing together those who are scattered. You, too, should become a place of reconciliation and a point of reunion for those who have fallen,” he said.

He urged members to combine prayer, the Rosary and the Word of God with practical acts of love and support for people in need.

In closing, Ntagungira called on members to put their mission into practice in their homes and communities by helping people reconnect with God, restoring hope among discouraged believers and promoting unity within families.

“Brothers and sisters, the Virgin Mary brought us together here so that she could once again send us out. Let us accept that mission. She is before us and has given us an example not to fear. We are with her and with Jesus Christ, and whoever is with him will not be put to shame,” he said.

His message centred on a call for the Legion of Mary to move beyond words and demonstrate its faith through action, particularly by supporting Catholics affected by church closures and helping sustain Christian life in their communities.

SOURCE: KINYAMATEKA