St. Paul Parish of Karambi: A Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Renewal

The community of St. Paul Parish of Karambi has a remarkable story of faith and
perseverance. Founded in 1965, the parish quickly became a beacon of hope for the
faithful in Karambi. However, on September 5, 1968, just three years after its founding,
the parish was forced to close due to a shortage of priests in the diocese.

Among those connected to the parish’s early formation is Bernard Mpagazihe, a
member of Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, who was part of the third group
of seminarians trained in Karambi. His elder brother, thelate Athanase Mpagazihe,
belonged to the first group of seminarians following the parish’s initial reopening.

The parish also proudly remembers the late Father Conrad Ndyanabo, the first priest
from Karambi, ordained on July 31, 1983. Father Conrad served with deep devotion
until his life was tragically cut short during the ongoing conflict on December 13, 1994.

After being closed for 32 years, St. Paul Karambi was reopened on December 6,
2000, marking a new chapter of spiritual growth and community rebuilding. Since then,
the parish has flourished both in faith and in numbers.

Today, St. Paul Parish of Karambi is home to approximately 32,000 church members,
organized into eight church communities. The parish is blessed with seven priests, 
34 nuns, 10 seminarians, and seven young women currently in formation to
become nuns — a powerful sign of the parish’s renewed vitality and faith.

This year, on December 13, 2025, the faithful will gather with joy and thanksgiving to
celebrate the 25th Jubilee of St. Paul Parish of Karambi’s reopening — honoring its
past, celebrating its present, and praying for continued blessings in the years to come.