Reconciliation in Rwanda Urged

On the occasion of the first century of the advent of the Gospel in Rwanda, the Holy Father wrote a letter in Latin, appointing Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Vatican Jubilee Committee, as his special envoy to the celebrations, which will culminate Feb. 8 in Kilgali, the capital.

In his letter, the Bishop of Rome expresses the hope that the centenary will serve as the voice of conscience for Rwandan Christians, so that they will be more fervid in their religious practice, firmer in their faith, and more determined in the resolutions, keeping the first evangelists as their models.

In 1994 Rwanda suffered one of the bloodiest genocides in history, caused by the army´s repression of the Tutsi people. There were more than 1 million victims. The Church also paid a high price in terms of life: Three bishops, 123 priests and more than 300 nuns perished during the troubles.