Bujumbura Christian University was honoured to welcome The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, on the evening of Saturday, 22 August 2026, during her visit to Burundi for the installation of The Most Reverend Eraste Bigirimana as the sixth Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Burundi.
On the eve of the installation, Archbishop Sarah paid a visit to Bujumbura Christian University, where she was warmly received by university staff and students, bishops and clergy of the Anglican Church of Burundi, Church officials, and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Archbishop’s arrival was marked by a joyful cultural welcome featuring traditional drumming and dancing. In a particularly memorable moment, she responded to an invitation from the dancers and joined them in the dance, sharing in the joy and cultural hospitality extended to her by the University community.
During the visit, Revd. Dr Pascal Bigirimana, Vice Chancellor of Bujumbura Christian University, presented the Archbishop with a brief history of the University through a photographic display. The presentation highlighted key moments in the development of BCU and recalled the two visits of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby. His first visit took place when BCU was still at the project stage, while his second visit came after the University had commenced its operations.
Archbishop Sarah Mullally Encouraged Students to Remain Rooted in Christ, Embrace Lifelong Learning and Serve the World
A significant part of the Archbishop’s visit was her interaction with students of the Faculty of Theology. In her message, Archbishop Sarah highlighted three key principles for Christian formation, vocation, and ministry, encouraging the students to remain faithful to Christ, committed to lifelong learning, and devoted to serving the world.
1. Hold Fast to Christ
The Archbishop urged the students to keep Christ at the centre of their studies, spiritual formation, and future ministry. She encouraged them not to lose the first passion and calling that led them to follow Christ, emphasising the importance of prayer, the reading of Scripture, and cultivating a deep and personal relationship with God.
She reminded the students that theological education is not merely an intellectual pursuit but must be rooted in a living relationship with Christ. Their academic formation should therefore strengthen, rather than replace, their life of faith and dependence upon God.
2. Embrace Lifelong Learning
Archbishop Sarah also encouraged the students to remain open and willing to learn throughout their lives. She reminded them that important lessons about faith, ministry, and Christian life can come from ordinary people and unexpected places.
The students were therefore encouraged to remain attentive to what God may be teaching them through the people they meet and the experiences they encounter. Such openness, she noted, is an essential part of lifelong Christian formation and faithful ministry.
3. Make Christ and His Love Known
Finally, the Archbishop reminded the students of their calling to love and serve the world in the name of Christ. She emphasised that their responsibility is not to save the world, since Christ has already accomplished salvation. Rather, they are called to make Christ known and bear witness to His love —a love that is “high, wide and deep.”
The Archbishop acknowledged that the journey of vocation, education, and ministry may present many challenges. Nevertheless, she encouraged the students to remain firmly rooted in Christ, to continue learning throughout their lives, and to faithfully make His love known in the world.
She concluded her interaction with the students by praying for them and imparting her blessing.
A Visit to the University’s Academic Facilities
During her visit, Archbishop Sarah also toured the University Library and Computer Laboratory, where she viewed facilities that support teaching, learning, research, and academic development.
She subsequently met with bishops of the Anglican Church of Burundi, including The Right Reverend Pontien Ribakare, Chairman of the Board of Governors, providing an opportunity for fellowship and conversation with the leadership of the Church and the University.
The visit concluded with a welcoming dinner attended by the Archbishop, bishops, university staff, members of the Anglican Church of Burundi, and other distinguished guests. The evening provided an opportunity for fellowship and thanksgiving following a significant day in the Archbishop’s visit to Burundi.
The visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury was a memorable occasion for Bujumbura Christian University, bringing together faith, fellowship, culture, learning, and service. It was also an important affirmation of the University’s place within the life and mission of the Anglican Church of Burundi and its commitment to educating and equipping men and women for service to the Church and society.
Bujumbura Christian University — Equipping for Every Good Service.
