Vatican City (Fides Service) - Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, has appointed, 25 July 2003, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Burundi, Reverend Father Protais Nkurikiye of Muyinga diocese.
Reverend Father Protais Nkurikiye was born on 5 December 1957 at Gisanze in Burundi. He attended local schools and minor seminaries: St Pius X at Muyinga and Burasira Middle Seminary. He studied at philosophy and theology respectively at St Cure d’Ars major seminary in Bujumbura and Urban University in Rome. He was ordained a priest in Gisanze on 21 September 1984 for the diocese of Muyinga. He has since been: assistant and parish priest; rector of Christ the King minor seminary; member of the council of consultors; further studies at Gaudium et Spes Institute, St Andrews Abbey Brugges, Belgium and Catholic University Lille; director of pastoral office and diocesan supervisor for human and Christian education; vicar general of Muyinga; president of diocesan justice and peace commission; diocesan administrator from 10 March 2001 to 5 March 2003 when the new Bishop of Muyinga took possession. (Fides Service 31/7/2003 EM lines 14 Words: 176)