Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides)- Radio Ijwi Ry'Amahoro intends to be the local Catholic Church's voice for new evangelisation and the promotion of peace in Burundi” said Fr. Emmanuel Muyehe, director of Radio Ijwi Ry'Amahoro, sponsored by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Burundi, which has just celebrated its first year of broadcasting.
Radio Ijwi Ry'Amahoro, in Kirundi Voice of Peace, was inaugurated by the president of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Jean Ntagwarara of the diocese of Bubanza in April 2006. On that occasion the Bishop underlined that the “Our radio comes into being at a time when social communications, radio especially, are spreading all over the country. It is clear that the people want to be informed about what is happening in their country. During Vatican II, realising the importance of the media, the Church encouraged all means of social communications”.
The Bishops hope the Catholic radio station will help promote a culture of peace and reconciliation in Burundi which still bears the scars of terrible civil strife. “The radio will give priority to programmes of peace building, justice and acceptance of others, reconciliation and development” the Bishop said on that occasion.
For the moment Radio Ijwi Ry'Amahoro covers the capital Bujumbura and the surrounding plains and highlands. “We hope to extend to the whole country and to open a web site and we intend to increase the broadcasting hours. Programmes are in the official Kirundi, French and Swahili widely spoken in east Africa. The programmes include broadcasts of Mass, prayers, Bible study, news, music and theatre and reports on the activity of the Bishops' Conference.
Radio Ijwi Ry'Amahoro was opened with the help of the Italian Bishops' Conference. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2007 righe 33 parole 346)
