Apologise to Rwanda too

OSCAR KIMANUKA oscar_kim2000@yahoo.co.uk

The recent visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the United States was important to Catholics and indeed Christians the world over. The Vatican actually apologised to US Catholics for sexual abuses by the clergy.

The apology is probably as unprecedented as it is momentous, considering what befell Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Corpenicus and Charles Darwin for holding views the Church thought evil.

Indeed, Copernicus was ridiculed at every opportunity until his death in 1642.

It was not, however, until 1998 that late Pope John Paul II and the Catholic Church admitted the mistake and apologised — 365 years later.

Pope Benedict XVI demonstrated that he is capable of taking on the unenviable task of healing and reconciling Catholics all over the world.

The apology in the US should now be followed by one to Rwanda where more that a million people were killed by the marauding Interahamwe militias with the help of ex–Far and some members of the clergy.

THE POPE KNOWS THAT MEMbers of the Catholic fraternity — a sizeable majority of the Rwandan population — were led in their murderous mission by their shepherds in the clergy. They schemed on how to involve children, women and men in acts of genocide including raping girls and women. Some of these acts took place in churches across the country.

How could men of God commit such crimes against humanity, moreover in houses of worship that must remain holy?

A survivor of genocide, a teacher, pointed out “Murderers and victims all celebrate mass together. Yet we all know one another very well — we know who did what during the genocide. But the bishops have chosen to keep quiet.”

THESE WORDS SAY A LOT about the frustrations of survivors who are increasingly becoming wary of church leaders who have refused to take responsibility for what they did 14 years ago.

This desecration of life and God’s temple shall remain a factor in our lives for many years to come.

But for the moment, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI can set yet another example, in our lifetime, and for the sake of redeeming the Holy Church, by making a simple apology.

Oscar Kimanuka is a commentator on social and economic issues based in Kigali.