Church Closures in Rwanda – Help Needed

This church that must improve it’s facilities before this preschool can continue to operate. ​Dirt floors must be cement under the rules.

Over the past two months, more than 6,000 churches have been closed in Rwanda, among them are hundreds of Anglican churches. The closures are a result of government inspections that have revealed:

• structures that lack basic infrastructure
• poor hygiene
• poor safety standards
• lack of parking space
• churches operating without licenses (not an issue for Anglican churches)
• operating in residential houses or facilities that are not sized for the congregation meeting in them
• additional code and safety violations

We have heard from several Rwandan bishops about this urgent problem and they have been quick to assure us that, contrary to what some media is saying, the closures do not represent any type of campaign against the church or freedom of worship. These closures instead are being done in the interest of the people and the government is working closely with the bishops and other church leaders to achieve reasonable solutions.

In the meantime, parishioners are tirelessly working to correct the deficiencies in the facilities. They are providing their manual labor and their finances to address the problem. However, some of the needs are great and will require external assistance.

RMP is collecting donations from individuals as well as congregations for infrastructure needs in Rwanda:

• Checks can be mailed to Rwanda Ministry Partners at 815 E. Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• Online tax deductible donations can be given through RMP’s website: RMP Church Closures Campaign (feel free to share link).

Donations sent for this purpose to RMP will be wired to the PEAR Provincial Office. The Archbishop and House of Bishops will then decide how to apportion the funds to address infrastructure needs across the country. 100% of the donations will go to this need.

If you have questions, please contact RMP at 719-301-9058.