Historical Background

Shyira diocese is one of the nine dioceses that make up the Province of the Episcopal church of Rwanda. Shyira started its operation on May 15th 1984 being cut from Kigali diocese, after Butare diocese. The reason that led to its creation was that christians were growing at a high rate and it was becoming quite difficult for one bishop in Kigali diocese to operate within all the 6 provinces (these were , Kigali, kibungo,Byumba,Kibuye,Gisenyi and Ruhengeri). Since then, the hill of Shyira ; where the church was first established during the christian missionnaries era, was chosen to be the diocese's headquaters and was handed over to the first Bishop NSHAMIHIGO AUGUSTIN who served from 1984 till April 1994.

Due to the area's isolation brought about by lack of communication network poor, supply of power, rough roads, too and also insecurity that was prevailing in the area during the year 1996- 1997 , It was suggested that the Headquaters should shift from Shyira to Ruhengeri town. From 1997 Ruhengeri became the diocese's new headquaters and Bishop JOHN KABANGO RUCYAHANA became it's second bishop and is still the serving bishop up todate.

Just as other dioceses that make up the body of he Episcopal church of Rwanda, Shyira diocese resumed with it's duties with an aim of spreading Good News " The gospel of Jesus Christ " with an aim to draw more people into God's Kingdom. The gospel the diocese is preaching is a practical one ;promoting education to eliminate illetracy , promote social welfare, provide shelter, and improve people's relationships.

In addition , however , after 1994 Rwandan genocide that claimed about a million lives of Rwandese , in the vision of Shyira diocese among other things , the preaching to survivors to get a true healing and also to perpetrators was encouraged. The bishop introduced the so called " sycamore tree project " which means good news symbolizing confession of the peoples'sins espacially killers and the expression of total forgiveness by the survivors. Thus, we thank God because many perpetrators have confessed and survivors are willing to forgive. Particularly, on the level of the Diocese and countrywide , many genocide suspects turned to Jesus and a good number have been baptised in the name of God the Father,God the Son , and God the Holly Spirit. This has improved the spirit of hardwork and oneness throughout the diocese. .

Currently the total sum of all church goes at Shyira is close to 94000, 47 parishes, 50 pastors, 5 archidiaconnaries , 5 secondary schools, 67 primary schools ,one hospital, 2 technical schools, and one health center at Nyange. Shyira diocese also greatly participated in providing shelter for the returness both the 1959 and 1994 from exile.