Religion and Rwanda Genocide

Religion and Rwanda Genocide

The German and Belgian colonists to Rwanda brought with them the Catholic religion. It is Africa’s most Catholic country. Both ethnic groups – Hutu and Tutsi were converted and it became the dominant religion in the country with a membership of some sixty five percent of the population. Throughout the decades the church buildings were considered places of safe refuge during times of political and social unrest. However, in 1994 during the genocide against the Tutis, these churches became places of execution. Churches filled with Tutsi’s seeking refuge were instead bulldozed or set on fire or were otherwise used as killing traps. Some clergy and nuns have been accused of collusion or participation in the killings. For example, one priest is accused of taking off his clerical clothes and putting on a flack jacket and wearing a pistol to participate in the genocide. Athanase Seromba, a Catholic priest has just been convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for his participation. He was convicted in connection with 2000 Tutsis who had taken shelter in his parish church, but were killed when it was bulldozed down. Three Catholic nuns have also been Rwanda convicted and sent to prison for their role. But, it isn’t only the Catholic clergy who are charged with similar participation. A former Anglican Bishop is waiting trial for his role in the massacre of Tutsis hiding in his church and a pastor in the Seventh Day Adventist Church has been arrested as have other protestant clergy and Christian missionaries. It is also argued the Catholic clergy have unfairly been made a prime target in seeking someone to blame. It’s claimed that it is being done because of the long standing rivalry between the two ethnic groups. Critics argue that the government is trying to blame the Church to avoid it’s own responsibility and to consolidate it’s political power. Heated controversy about accusations have been the result.

When the killing stopped, it is estimated about one half of the Tutsi population had been killed. The media reports that since then there has been disillusionment among the Catholics who are turning to Muslim and evangelical churches instead. Religious hypocrisy produces disillusionment in the followers. It is what Jesus preached against. A well known example is televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who, at the height of his power, was railing against sins of the flesh. But he then was caught soliciting prostitutes which caused a dramatic loss of followers in his church. Whatever the truth about the involvement of Catholic religious leaders, the impact has been a loss of faith in their teachings. To quote Mohandas Gandhi "you Christians are so unlike your Christ."

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