Nel settembre 2025, due Dottrinari, p. Joseph Mpitabavuma e p. François Nkurikiye, sono stati inviati in Francia dal Superiore Generale, padre Sergio La Pegna, per aprire una nuova comunità alla periferia di Parigi, a Bouffémont, nel dipartimento della Val-d’Oise. P. Joseph è stato nominato vicario dell’unità pastorale di Domont, Écouen ed Ézanville e cappellano dei giovani (studenti delle scuole medie e superiori) del Decanato di Écouen dal Vescovo Benoît Bertrand. P. François è stato nominato vicario dell’unità pastorale di Montsoult, Bouffémont e Maffliers, In September 2025, two Doctrinaries, Fr. Joseph Mpitabavuma and Fr. François Nkurikiye—were sent to France by the Superior General, Father Sergio La Pegna, to establish a new community on the outskirts of Paris, in Bouffémont (Val-d’Oise department). Fr. Joseph was appointed vicar of the pastoral unit comprising Domont, Écouen, and Ézanville, as well as youth chaplain (for middle and high school students) for the Deanery of Écouen, by Bishop Benoît Bertrand. Fr. François was appointed vicar of the pastoral unit comprising Montsoult, Bouffémont, and Maffliers, which includes five additional parishes.
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, while visiting Bouffémont, the Superior General—accompanied by Fr. Dieudonné—met with the Bishop of the Diocese of Pontoise and the Vicar General, Thierry Butor. Following this meeting and in agreement with the Superior General, the grouping of the parishes of Domont, Écouen, and Ézanville was entrusted to the care of the Doctrinaries; Fr. Joseph Mpitabavuma was appointed parish priest.
The installation of the new parish priest took place on Saturday, September 19, at 6:00 p.m.—during the Mass marking the start of the pastoral year—for the Écouen and Ézanville pastoral unit, and on September 20, during the 11:00 a.m. Mass, for the Domont pastoral unit. Both installation ceremonies were presided over by the new Vicar General, Fr. Edouard George.
The liturgical celebration was the highlight of the weekend, marked by the warm welcome of parishioners and the support of civil authorities; indeed, local mayors welcomed the priests, a testament to excellent local collaboration. It was a truly lively start to parish activities.
At the beginning of each installation Mass, the city mayors performed the ritual of handing over the keys to the various churches, thereby officially confirming the parish priest’s role as the person in charge of the places of worship. Following the celebrant’s greeting, a member of the Pastoral Animation Team delivered a welcome message to the new parish priest, Father Joseph, and the vicars, Fr. François and Fr. Pierre, thanking the Bishop of Pontoise for the trust placed in the Doctrinaires.
During the homily, the delegate of the Bishop of Pontoise—Vicar General Fr. Edouard George—spoke to encourage the new parish priest and his collaborators in carrying out their mission. He urged the parishioners to care for their pastors, and to accompany and support them in their ministry at the start of the pastoral year.
The new parish priest then offered his first greeting to the faithful, outlining the characteristics of a vibrant, welcoming, and united community. The day also featured the blessing of the children’s backpacks, entrusting the start of the school year to God’s protection.
To keep the celebration going and forge lasting bonds, all the participants shared a warm “bridge of glasses” symbolizing friendship in front of the churches, sealing—with joy and simplicity—a renewed sense of momentum for the parishes. The priests officially received their pastoral appointments, ready to dedicate themselves fully to their new communities.
Father Joseph Mpitabavuma, DC
