The Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Rwanda, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, has urged Rwandans to stand in solidarity with survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, calling for compassion and collective responsibility as the country prepares for the 32nd commemoration.
Delivering his message during Easter celebrations on April 5, 2026, Cardinal Kambanda reflected on the profound spiritual and moral scars left by the genocide, noting that it shattered core values including faith, integrity, and love.
He observed that during the genocide, true witnesses of faith were rare, with many betraying fundamental Christian commitments, leaving the nation “as though crucified.”
Despite this painful history, the Cardinal highlighted ongoing efforts by many Rwandans to rebuild their faith and restore unity, urging the public not to forget the suffering endured by victims and survivors.
“Christ shared in the suffering of those we remember,” he said, stressing that remembrance should deepen awareness that the victims were members of families and communities—parents, siblings, and children bound together by shared humanity.
He called for sustained support to survivors, particularly during the commemoration period. “Our shared bond must inspire us to remain close to survivors and comfort them,” he emphasized.
In a joint message, Catholic bishops also urged Christians to pray for those who were killed, entrust them to God, and strive for spiritual renewal. They called on the faithful to reject hatred, division, and discrimination, and instead uphold values of love, unity, and peace.
Rwanda will begin the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on April 7, 2026, starting with a week of national mourning followed by 100 days of remembrance activities.
