Orthodox Church leader lauds Rwanda’s post-Genocide renewal

His Beatitude Theodoros II, the Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, has said that Rwanda’s post-Genocide renewal and reconciliation efforts are ‘commendable’ and should be an example for the entire continent. He made the observations on Saturday, October 29, 2022 as Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, received him at his office in Kigali. Their discussions focused on Orthodox Church activities in Rwanda, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Earlier on October 28, Theodoros visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid respect to victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and learnt more about the history of Genocide through a physical guide of the memorial exhibits. “I requested and I am praying that what happened may not happen again,” he told journalists after meeting the PM. He was speaking in Arabic, with his message being interpreted into English by Archbishop Innocentios Byakatonda, Head of Orthodox Church in Rwanda and Burundi. “I am very overjoyed and happy to see that every day, Rwanda is at high speed in terms of development,” Theodoros observed. “It (Rwanda) is becoming an example for all Africa, for all the nations, without genocide, without war... It means that our continent needs to live in peace. “I have seen real peace and cleanliness, neatness [in Rwanda],” he said, underscoring the need for people to live in harmony and reconciliation. The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian church in the world (with a single denomination, after the Catholic Church), with approximately 220 million baptised members. Byakatonda said that the Church started its activities in Rwanda about 10 years ago. “I came here to Rwanda to bring the great love of Jesus Christ. As the years go on, I hope to see the church full of love,” Theodoros said. He said that all the works meant for development [that the Church will be doing in the county], will be for Rwanda’s people, “especially the children, because children are the future of the country.” Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, Minister of Local Government, told journalists that the Orthodox Church expressed appreciation to President Paul Kagame’s leadership in rebuilding Rwanda to development, a country that was ravaged by the Genocide. Currently, he said that the Church works in seven districts of the country’s Western, Eastern and Southern Province, and wants to expand its activities to the City of Kigali. “Prime Minister was pleased that they [the Church leaders] visited Rwanda and have activities here for about 10 years now, including in education, health, supporting the vulnerable people, and continuing encouraging Rwandans to have good behaviour,” he said. “But, mainly, he requested them to [contribute to] build a Rwandan who is capable especially in terms of economic development, such that the sermons they deliver, and the support they provide to the people are intended to lift them out of poverty, help them to study, and support families to get empowered, and get rid of poverty and be healthy Church adherents,” he observed. He said that the Prime Minister promised Government support to the Church so that it works in a conducive environment.

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Orthodox Church leader lauds Rwanda’s post-Genocide renewal