Rwandan Cardinal visits Des Moines metro area

September 17, 2024

Rwandan Cardinal Antoine Kambanda participated in a special luncheon, celebration of the Eucharist, and reception for the Des Moines-area Rwandan community on Sept. 7. 

With the support of local Christian leaders, Bishop William Joensen, and the local Rwandan community, St. Boniface of Waukee hosted Mass and fellowship for the cardinal and for the community.

He then headed to his next stop in Cedar Rapids where he was the special guest of Steve Noah of Clive, a friend of the prelate.  Noah has visited Rwanda over three dozen times, often working directly with Cardinal Kambanda.

Special guests of the luncheon were Ambassador Emeritus Kenneth Quinn of the World Food Prize Foundation, and Jean Claude Mbonigaba, himself from Rwanda, who ministers through the Diocese with Catholic Charities.

Father Chinna Devaraj and Father Vince Rosonke hosted the cardinal for the Mass and reception at St. Boniface Church in Waukee.

“It was a great opportunity for over 100 of the metro Rwandan community to pray and visit with Cardinal Kambanda,” said Father Rosonke.

Cardinal Kambanda was ordained by St. John Paul II in 1990. Cardinal Cambanda was a young priest during the 1994 genocide, when hundreds of thousands of people were massacred, including many family members.

His present position is Archbishop of Kigali, Rwanda. 

In 2020 Pope Francis elevated him to the College of Cardinals.

“The local Rwandan community as well as the entire Diocese of Des Moines were blessed by his brief visit here,” said Father Rosonke. “He’s a reminder to all of us to support dignity and justice for all God’s people.”