Bishop of Rutana
Léonidas Nitereka was born on September 1, 1960, in Martyazo, in the Diocese of Bururi. He studied philosophy at the Saint Curé d’Ars Major Seminary in Bujumbura and theology at the Saint John Paul II Major Seminary in Gitega. He was ordained a priest on August 17, 1986, in Bururi. He held the following positions and undertook further studies: chaplain for secondary schools in the diocese (1986–1987); parish priest of Murago, Diocese of Bururi (1987–1990); diocesan bursar (1990–1997); doctorate in theological anthropology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and pastoral service in the Diocese of Florence, Italy (1997–2006); rector of the Buta Minor Seminary and president of the Bururi clergy (2007–2012); and, since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi and Director of the Pastoral Office.