Anastase Mutabazi (born 24 December 1952) is a Rwandan Catholic prelate. He served as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi from 1996 until his resignation in 2004. He was appointed bishop on 13 March 1996 by Pope John Paul II. He resigned on 10 December 2004, two weeks shy of his 52nd birthday. The Holy Father John Paul II accepted his resignation. He lives on as Bishop Emeritus of Kabgayi, Rwanda.
Early years and education
He was born on 24 December 1952 in Birenga, Ngoma District, Eastern Province, Diocese of Kibungo, in Rwanda. He studied philosophy and theology and was ordained a priest in March 1996.[1]
Priest
He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kibungo, Rwanda on 25 July 1980. He served in that capacity until 13 March 1996.[1]
Bishop
On 13 March 1996 Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese. He was consecrated and installed at Kabgayi on 26 May 1996 by the hands of Bishop Joseph Sibomana, Bishop Emeritus of Kibungo assisted by Archbishop Thaddée Ntihinyurwa, Archbishop of Kigali and Bishop Frédéric Rubwejanga, Bishop of Kibungo.[1]
On 10 December 2004, The Holy Father John Paul II accepted the resignation request from "the pastoral government of the Diocese of Kabgayi", presented by Bishop Anastase Mutabazi.[2] The Pope appointed Bishop Thaddée Ntihinyurwa, Archbishop of Kigali as Apostolic Administrator for Kabgayi that same day.[3] Bishop Anastase Mutabazi lives on as Bishop Emeritus of Kabgayi, Rwanda.[1]
Succession table
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byThaddée Nsengiyumva (7 October 1989 - 5 June 1994) | Bishop of Kabgayi 13 March 1996 - 10 December 2004 | Succeeded bySmaragde Mbonyintege (21 January 2006 - 2 May 2023) |
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4]David M. Cheney (25 February 2024). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Anastase Mutabazi (born 24 December 1952), Bishop Emeritus of Kabgayi". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- 2.Agenzia Fides (10 December 2004). "Africa/Rwanda: Resignation of the Bishop of Kabgayi". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- 3.ECR (February 2025). "The History of the Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi". Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (ECR). Kigali, Rwanda. Retrieved 8 February 2025.