Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has called on Christians to live out their faith and stand as true witnesses of the risen Christ, as Rwanda marks Easter ahead of the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. ALSO READ: Easter during commemoration: Rwandan religious leaders reflect on healing and hope Delivering the Easter written message on April 4, on behalf of the Catholic bishops, Cardinal Kambanda said the resurrection of Jesus remains the foundation of Christian faith and should shape how believers live. “Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia! We wish you a happy Easter. On that first morning, Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the disciple whom Jesus loved went to the tomb but did not find His body. At first, they were confused and afraid, but later they came to believe when they encountered the risen Christ,” he said. The testimony of the apostles, particularly of Peter, shows that Jesus was put to death but raised on the third day and appeared to a select group of witnesses. According to the Cardinal, this testimony has been handed down through the generations and remains the foundation of the Christian faith today. This year’s Easter follows the 2025 Jubilee, which marked 2,025 years of redemption and 125 years since Christianity arrived in Rwanda. The celebrations should inspire believers to live their faith in everyday life, he noted. “Christ entered our history and our lives, conquering sin and death and giving us new life as children of God. We are called to live our faith through our actions, showing love, truth, peace, and kindness, and to resist hatred, wrongdoing, and the pull of material gain,” Cardinal Kambanda said. The archbishop described the suffering and death of Jesus, portraying the Way of the Cross as a time of injustice and pain, but also one where acts of compassion shone through. He mentioned those who stayed close to Him, Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross; Veronica, who wiped His face; the women who followed Him; and Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who ensured His burial. The resurrection changed the course for the disciples, turning fear and doubt into faith and calm, explaining Jesus’ words after rising from the dead as a message that still stands. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” The cardinal noted that some people are leaving the Church and encouraging others to do the same, while the rising focus on material wealth is affecting people’s dedication to their faith. Christians are encouraged to keep their faith and continue sharing the gospel with people everywhere. Many have still not heard it, and more effort is needed to reach them. The Easter message comes as Rwanda prepares to begin the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The events of 1994 were a time when faith and moral responsibility collapsed in many places. From April to July 1994, Rwanda seemed crucified. The genocide left deep wounds, even among Christians, with some questioning their faith and their place in the Church. At the same time, the country has faced a difficult path to rebuild unity. Through it all, Christ is present in the suffering of those who were killed, persecuted, or displaced, he noted. “We call on Christians to remember the victims as their own and to remain close to survivors. We recognise those who showed courage during the genocide, including people who refused to take part in the killings, those who hid others, and those who gave their lives to save them,” Cardinal Kambanda said. The Cardinal noted ongoing challenges affecting church life, including the continued closure of some places of worship, and urged Christians to remain patient as efforts continue toward reopening. He said that difficult moments are when faith and love should be most visible, encouraging Christians to stay firm.
