Bishop of Gikongoro
Célestin Hazikimana was born on August 14, 1963, in the Holy Family parish of the Archdiocese of Kigali. He attended secondary school at the St. Vincent Minor Seminary in Rulindo (1977–1983) and subsequently at the one in Ndera (1983–1984). In 1985, he entered the propaedeutic seminary in Rulindo and completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Nyakibanda Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Butare. He was ordained a priest on July 21, 1991. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1991–1992: Parish Vicar in Rutongo; 1992–1994: Diocesan Representative for Catholic Education; 1994–1996: Director of the St. Paul National Center in Kigali; 1997–1998: Diocesan Representative for Catholic Education; 1998–2003: Director of GEMECA-Rwanda; 2003–2010: Advanced theological studies in Naples, where he obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Faculty of St. Thomas. Since 2011, he has served as Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda.