Clare N
Clad in a simple black clerical shirt, his rare smile as radiant as his faith, Fr. James Burasa, CSC, stands tall both in stature and spirit, as he marks three decades of priesthood. A journey that began with displacement and loss has blossomed into a life of purpose, compassion, and spiritual leadership.
Early Life and Displacement
Born on February 16, 1960, in Nyamirambo, Rwanda, to Mr. Boniface Burasa and Mukarwigema Scholastica, young James Burasa’s early years were soon disrupted by ethnic tensions that swept through the nation. His family, like many others, was forced to flee the growing conflict between Hutu and Tutsi communities.
He narrates that life in a Ugandan refugee camp was harsh and thus his mother, unable to withstand the discrimination and dire conditions, tragically passed away, followed by his sister and brother. His father later returned to Rwanda to join Burasa’s elder brother, leaving young James in the care of his aunt.
It was during this challenging time that Burasa abandoned his education to work on a farm for survival, after losing out on the first scholarship but a story of another refugee’s academic success rekindled his hope.
“Whatever I am today is because of that single decision to return to school, despite all odds,” he reflects.
A Growing Call
With education, came a deepening of his Catholic faith. During high school, he served as a Catechist, and recalls being moved to tears when he had to leave his local church to return to school, leaving the community without a Catechist.
After completing his studies at St. Leo’s College Kyegobe in Fort Portal (1979–1985), Burasa considered joining the Diocesan priesthood. However, a delayed application led him instead to the Congregation of Holy Cross, a path he now believes was divinely guided.
“I believe that’s the direction God wanted me to take,” he says.
He joined the Saaka Novitiate in 1985, professed his final vows on August 15, 1994, and was ordained on May 6, 1995, at Kyarusozi Parish, where he began his ministry as a curate.
Faith Amid Tragedy
Before he could even profess his final vows, tragedy struck again for Fr. Burasa. His father and several relatives were among those massacred during the Rwandan Genocide. Through his grief, Fr. Burasa found strength in faith, after his ordination and vividly remembers identifying his father by a familiar sweater among many other bodies that lay in the same grave. With the help of a friend, he ensured he received a respectful burial before the government took over the mass interments.
Academic and Pastoral Achievements
Fr. Burasa’s pursuit of knowledge is equally commendable. He holds a PhD in Sacred Theology with a specialization in Dogmatic (Systematic) Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, graduating summa cum laude in 2017.
He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (equivalent to a master’s degree) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2002, attaining magna cum laude. His foundational theological training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Hekima College, Nairobi, awarded with Second Class Honours, Upper Division in 1993, and a Bachelor of Philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he graduated magna cum laude Probatus in 1989.
His pastoral career has been equally distinguished. After serving at St. Jude’s Parish in Uganda, he became the Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Dandora, Nairobi—home to over 34,000 Christians living in one of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods. From 2003 to 2012, he led the District of East Africa as its first indigenous superior. Today, he serves once again at St. Jude’s Parish in Kyarusozi.
A Life Anchored in Prayer
Fr. Burasa is widely known as a “prayer warrior,” leading healing crusades and spiritual seminars and retreats across East Africa. His healing ministry began humbly, inspired by a life-in-the-Spirit seminar that profoundly transformed his spiritual journey.
He recalls a defining childhood moment when he encountered a leopard in the forest. Terrified, he prayed to the “woman in heaven” his parents had taught him to trust—Mother Mary. Miraculously, the leopard pounced, leaving him only with a mental scar. The incident cemented a lifelong devotion to prayer and maternal figures.
“Because of that experience and others, In my life I have always been helped more by women than men,” he shares. “Growing up without my father around, I even used to pray ‘Our Mother’ instead of ‘Our Father,'” he adds with a smile.
Three Decades of Grace
Now celebrating 30 years of priesthood, Fr. James Burasa reflects not just on survival, but on transformation, his own and that of countless others he has served. From refugee to respected theologian and spiritual leader, his life has been described as a living testimony of resilience, faith, and the mysterious yet purposeful ways of divine providence.
What Others Say
Mr. Sam Rwamwenge, a parishioner of Kyarusozi and representative of professionals in the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, described Fr. Burasa as a role model who has undoubtedly transformed Kyarusozi Parish both spiritually and socio-economically. His leadership has been so impactful that the parish is now often referred to as a model parish.
Mr. Rwamwenge, commended Fr. Burasa for spearheading mindset change initiatives at the small Christian community level, which have greatly enhanced parish income. Some of the efforts he mentioned, include promoting income-generating activities such as encouraging the shift from tea to coffee plantations. As a result, parish contributions have increased from around 50 million to over 100 million shillings.
He also credited Fr. Burasa’s transparent and exemplary leadership for the improved infrastructure within the parish, including the priests’ residence, administration block, and other facilities.
Wilton Chris Asaba, a devoted youth from Kyarusozi Parish (St. Jude Holy Cross), emphasized Fr. Burasa’s role in empowering the youth. He noted that Fr. Burasa has nurtured a vibrant and empowered youth community that plays an active role in personal and community development.
According to Asaba, Fr. Burasa has supported the youth spiritually, socially, and economically through mentorship and community-driven initiatives. His efforts have strengthened their faith and moral values through regular activities such as monthly prayer gatherings. He has also promoted leadership and advocacy by encouraging youth participation in decision-making and leadership roles, while fostering teamwork and resilience.
Women Empowerment
Mrs. Resty Rwamwenge, head of the Catholic Women Association at Kyarusozi, praised Fr. Burasa for placing the Christian family at the center of his ministry. She noted that women in the parish have greatly benefited from development seminars that promote economic productivity and reduce financial dependence on men.
She described Fr. Burasa as a people-centered leader who promotes inclusive development, encourages civic participation among women, and advocates for their active involvement in leadership and electoral processes.
Fellow Priest Pays Tribute to Fr Burasa
Bishop Fulton Sheen once rightly put it that, *The devil may have his hour, but God will always have his day*.
30 years of priesthood are a manifestation of God’s triumph in the life of Fr James Burasa – indeed its a manifestation of God’s day in Fr James’ life.
The human struggles, Fr James has encountered from the time he stayed in a refugee camp with all the associated challenges to this great 30 year priestly anniversary milestone is indeed a cause of singing a song of praise to God.
Bishop Robert Barron once said that the Church exists to do three things that is; *to pray, to evangelise and to serve the poor* It’s in these three things that I would wish to summarize the ministry of Fr James
– *Fr James’ a man of prayer*. Personally, I have known Fr James Burasa as a very prayerful man – he instills the spirit of prayer in all the communities he ministers to. He is behind the great spiritual initiative of the *Prayer Power* monthly mission at Kyarusozi Parish.
– *Fr James the evangeliser*. Fr James Burasa is a great evangeliser – you only need to organize a crusade and assign him as one of the facilitators to see how many people will turn up. He preaches with passion and he is not shy to share his past experiences and how God has been his refugee all this while. For me, Fr James Burasa is a living testimony of God’s providence and love.
* *Fr James a minister to the poor*. As Managing Director of Jubilee Radio, time and again I visited Kyarusozi Parish where Fr James ministers as parish priest. I was always struck by the many people who came to see Fr James for help – from one nursing a sick parent to a child seeking school fees ecc. What touched my heart is that Fr Burasa listens patiently to everyone that comes to him. I was also always touched by the generous financial contributions Fr James made to help us keep on air at Jubilee Radio.
Dear Fr James, may God continue to bless the work of your hands. May you win more souls for Christ and may God give you the grace to preservere in moments of desolation and distress
_Don Federico Douglas Waako_
