Speaking to the congregation, the cardinal stressed the urgency of the project, noting how the current church often overflows, with worshippers spilling outside and tents needed for extra space.
"It's time for us to come together and build a spacious, beautiful cathedral," he said, urging everyone to get involved.
He encouraged Christians to reach out to the chief priest at St. Michel Parish with ideas or donations within their means.
The goal is a grand church that matches Kigali's rapid growth and modern vibe, built on land donated by the president.
When pressed for specifics like an exact start date or budget, Cardinal Kambanda said planning is ongoing but fundraising and preparations continue full steam ahead.
The new cathedral will rise on the site of the former Nyarugenge Prison, known locally as "1930." Designs show a contemporary building with room for at least 5,000 inside and vast outdoor areas to handle up to 20,000 for big celebrations.
Cardinal Kambanda first voiced his vision for a fitting city cathedral back in 2019 during his installation ceremony at Amahoro Stadium.
In 2023, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced that efforts to raise 40 billion Rwandan Francs for the construction were still underway.
Currently, the Cathedral of Kigali is located in Kiyovu, Nyarugenge District, where St. Michel Parish is based. However, it is too small to accommodate large events.
St. Michel Parish was founded in 1963 as part of the Kabgayi Diocese and became a Cathedral Parish on May 3, 1976, when the Archdiocese of Kigali was established.
IGIHE
