By Bellah Zulu and Nasasagare Guy

The Anglican Church in Burundi has created a new diocese to serve the growing numbers of Christians in the parishes found in the south-western part of the country.

The new Diocese of Rumonge, created from the southern part of Bujumbura Diocese will be the 7^th diocese of the Anglican Church of Burundi and will consist of about 50 parishes and numerous sub-parishes.

"Sunday 4^th August 2013 will be a significant day for the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi as the new diocese of Rumonge is created from the southern part of Bujumbura diocese," said Nasasagare Guy, the Church Communicator in Burundi.

The special occasion will be used to inaugurate the new diocese and consecrate its first bishop, the Revd Pedaculi Birakengana who has been the Provincial Secretary for the province.

In an interview, the Revd Birakengana acknowledged that God is all-powerful and can take "weak vessels and fill them with his grace in order that unity and thanksgiving may overflow and bring Him glory." He added: "Even though it's a challenge to lead a new diocese, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, it will be done."

Mr Birakengana brings considerable pastoral experience to the diocese. He was born in 1966 and was baptised and confirmed in Bitare parish in Burundi. He is married to Mrs Anatolie Dusabe and they have seven children.

He also holds a Bachelor in Divinity from Uganda Christian University. In 2001, he was ordained priest in the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura where he served as the Curate at Holy Trinity Cathedral from before becoming the Provincial Secretary of the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi.