Wenceslas Kalibushi

Mgr.
Wenceslas Kalibushi
Bishop Emeritus of Nyundo, Rwanda

Wenceslas Kalibushi (front) and Aloys Bigirumwami in Uden, Netherlands in 1968
Installed 2 January 1997
Term ended 20 December 1997
Other posts Bishop of Nyundo, Rwanda (1977-1997)
Orders
Ordination 25 July 1947
Consecration 27 March 1977
by Archbishop Vincent Nsengiyumva
Personal details
Born (1919-06-29)29 June 1919
Byimana, Rwanda
Died 20 December 1997(1997-12-20) (aged 78)

Wenceslas Kalibushi (29 June 1919 – 20 December 1997) was a Rwandan Catholic bishop.

Wenceslas Kalibushi was born on 29 June 1919 at Byimana, Rwanda. He was ordained a priest on 25 July 1947. On 9 December 1976 he was appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nyundo, and he was consecrated by Archbishop Vincent Nsengiyumva on 27 March 1977. His principal co-consecrators were Archbishop André Perraudin and Bishop Aloys Bigirumwami.[1]

Kalibushi was one of the few priests to speak out against government actions during the lead-up to the Rwandan Genocide. On 28 December 1993 he and the priests of Kibuye and Gisenyi issued a letter that criticized the government for issuing arms to civilians.[2] His letter asked the authorities to "clearly explain to the public the utility of the arms that had been distributed during recent days."[3] Perhaps because of Kalibushi's willingness to support Tutsis and his criticism of the government, his compound at Nyundo was one of the first targets of the Hutu extremists.[4]

The morning after the death of President Juvénal Habyarimana, on 7 April 1994 a number of Tutsi families came to Nyundo for safety. A large, hostile and armed crowd arrived, and the killing began, including women and children who took refuge in the chapel.[5] On the morning of 8 April the militia captured the bishop, stripped him and threatened to kill him, but were stopped by an army officer.[4] Bishop Kalibushi was taken to Gisenyi and was later released at the request of the Vatican.[5] On 3 May Mgr. Vincent Nsengiyumva wrote a letter to the Christians of Nyundo reassuring them that Kalibushi was safe and sound, and that rumors that he had fled to Nairobi were false.[6]

Kalibushi retired on 2 January 1997 and died on 20 December 1997.[1]

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