The Most Revd Eraste Bigirimana has been installed as the new Primate of the Anglican Church of Burundi at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Bujumbura on August 23.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, preached at the service. The Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion (the Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells) and the Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council (Canon Maggie Swinson) were also present, along with bishops and representatives from DRC, Tanzania and Uganda.
Archbishop Eraste was elected as Primate on May 21, 2026 and is now the sixth Archbishop and Primate of the Province. He succeeds the Most Revd Sixbert Macumi, who has led the Anglican Church of Burundi since 2021.
Speaking about his installation earlier this year, Archbishop Eraste said: 'As I look forward to my installation on the 23rd August 2026, my hope is that it will mark a new season of unity, spiritual renewal and faithful service to the people of God. I ask for your continued prayers as we work together to advance Christ's mission in Burundi and beyond.'
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In her sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury reflected on the lessons about leadership shared by Jesus in John 21:15-17, in which Peter is called to be a shepherd, and reiterated by Peter in 1 Peter 5:1-4 as he advises leaders to be 'eager to serve... as shepherds of God's flock'.
Archbishop Sarah said, 'Jesus calls Peter with all his weaknesses and his strengths. He calls him to nurture his flock... Archbishops are called to share with the whole people of God in the ministry of the Gospel of Christ. Each one of us is called to proclaim Christ's promise of hope and eternal life in a world of death and despair. Bishop Eraste, this is the hope to which you are called. And in a broken world, God calls you to be a servant leader. Guard the flock; exercise the ministry of a shepherd; contend for and uphold the unity of the church, guiding it in witness and service.'
Addressing the congregation during the installation, Archbishop Eraste pledged 'to uphold justice, truth and love. In the ministry entrusted to me by God, I will seek to be a good example to the flock of Christ. I will endeavour to fulfil these responsibilities with the help of God'.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Jo Wells, also spoke at the service to convey the greetings of the Secretary General and to bring encouragement to the Church. 'Across the Communion there are 42 provinces and at least 170 countries. You are part of something so big and high and wide and deep, like the love of God that sustains us'. Bishop Jo also thanked the former primate, Archbishop Sixbert, for his service and faithfulness and shared encouragement for the new Primate and his wife, Consulate, who will support him in his ministry.
Prior to the installation, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, shared prayers and good wishes to the new Primate, saying: 'In 2024, I visited the Anglican Church of Burundi and was privileged to experience the diverse ministry of the province, in the areas of education, youth and community work. As Archbishop Eraste takes up his ministry, we assure him of our prayers and support as he continues to invest in the spiritual life and growth of the churches of Burundi. We celebrate the Anglican Church of Burundi as part of the global family that is the Anglican Communion.'
Born in 1964 in what is now Buhumuza Province, Archbishop Eraste comes from an Anglican family. He attended Buhiga Teachers' College and in 1987 entered the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Burundi, specialising in African Languages and Literatures. He holds two degrees: one in Human Sciences/African Languages and Literature, and another in Divinity (Theology) from Uganda Christian University.
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Bishop Eraste was consecrated as Bishop in 2005, becoming the first Bishop of Muyinga Diocese and in 2013 moved to lead the Diocese of Bujumbura. In September 2025, Archbishop Eraste was appointed as Coordinator of the Anglican Francophone Network (Réseau Francophone Anglican).
Archbishop Eraste is also a member of the National Security Council and, as such, is a trusted figure in civil society. His appointment to leadership promises to enhance the collaborative relationship between the Anglican Church of Burundi and the Government of Burundi, which regularly work together to advance development initiatives.
More information
Learn more about the Anglican Church of Burundi.
See the Archbishop of Canterbury's full sermon at the Installation of the Primate of Burundi.
See the live stream of the service.
