Catholic Church Vs Rwanda’s Genocide : It takes more than sorry!

It takes more than sorry! Now I know why children cry even harder when one says ‘sorry’ after wronging them. Undeniably a mere sorry can never put food on someone’s table or even show how remorseful the offender is. The culture of apology has emerged an escape for powerful people and institutions as means to maintain a good public image, to me; the Catholic Church is not any different. Infact, I will never understand the pope’s apology concerning the Catholic Church’s involvement in the massacre of a million Tutsi’s during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. I have no evidence on the fallacy of the Catholic Church regret, though several issues surrounding the pope’s apology are controversial. Some of the nuns and priests who were convicted by Belgian courts and International tribunal for Rwanda, continueously enjoyed refuge in catholic churches in Europe! The likes of the notorious, Father Athenese Seromba, who led the Nyange Parish massacres. The terrible statements that Seromba made during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were a blasphemy against God and the human race, yet the Catholic Church, a holy institution didn’t hesitate to protect him from justice. Fine, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail by the tribunal but the Catholic Church didn’t have a hand in Seromba sentence. “Is the God of the Tusti still alive?” Seromba on record asked the late Tustis before ordering the demolition of the church they hid in. As mean as Seromba’s statement is, he un-regretfully and shamelessly said in court, “A priest I am and a priest I will remain.” Such people are prevalent in the Catholic Church but not even the pope has denounced them. So, don’t you think actions speak louder than words? The church seeking judgment for such culprits would make more sense than mere words of regret. There are cases where mere words, however sincere they seem, can never measure up in bringing a change. The wounds and gaps that Catholic priests, nuns and missionaries caused in Rwanda can only be removed by sincere actions of charity to the survivors. The few catholic charity organizations are not enough. Luke 7:47 states this clearly, “….but he who is forgiven of much, loves much. And he, who is forgiven of little, loves less.” So please….catholic church in Rwanda should insist that the Vatican apologizes for its mistakes. If the Vatican has apologised for the sexual assaults committed by some priests in Ireland, what about the death of some of the one million Rwandans in 1994? They shouldn’t take Rwandans and the survivors’ forgiveness for granted. Be more practical and show that what you did in the 1994 Gernocide against the Tutsi was a mistake that you don’t intend to repeat. And when I say participating, it’s diverse; make sure your church mates who had a hand in the genocide are put to justice, and yes aid and provide for the survivors who were affected by the murders committed by some of the priests and nuns.. Otherwise, how do you expect the yet to be apology to take cleanse the blood that has stained your hands. So to convince us, we need tangible actions assuring us of, “NEVER AGAIN,” from the bottom of your hearts. lillianean@yahoo.com