EAR SHYOGWE DIOCESE: COMMEMORATION OF PASTORS, BELIEVERS, AND EMPLOYEES KILLED IN THE GENOCIDE COMMITTED AGAINST TUTSI IN 1994

The event took place in Shyogwe Parish, Muhanga District, Shyogwe Sector. It began with a commemorative service. It was attended by the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs of Muhanga District who was representing the Mayor; the two Depute Legal Representatives of EAR/Shyogwe Diocese; members of the clergy; the Diocesan head office staff; the President of Ibuka/Muhanga District; local authorities, and the believers from all over the Diocese.

Archdeacon Joseph SEHORANA, who was the Preacher of the day, focused his predication on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and on Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5: 13-15. From there, he urged everyone to value the Gospel of love that has been preached by Jesus-Christ and his Disciples. Indeed, the entire Law is fulfilled in keeping this command: "Love your neighbor as yourself” and whoever respects this command cannot kill his neighbor. (Find here his preaching in his integrality http://www.sehorana.com/pages/sermons/abakristo-baconshomerana-ingaruka-yo-kubura-urukundo-mu-itorero-ry-imana.html )

The event took place in Shyogwe Parish, Muhanga District, Shyogwe Sector. It began with a commemorative service. It was attended by the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs of Muhanga District who was representing the Mayor; the two Depute Legal Representatives of EAR/Shyogwe Diocese; members of the clergy; the Diocesan head office staff; the President of Ibuka/Muhanga District; local authorities, and the believers from all over the Diocese.

Archdeacon Joseph SEHORANA, who was the Preacher of the day, focused his predication on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and on Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5: 13-15. From there, he urged everyone to value the Gospel of love that has been preached by Jesus-Christ and his Disciples. Indeed, the entire Law is fulfilled in keeping this command: "Love your neighbor as yourself” and whoever respects this command cannot kill his neighbor.

The one who spoke on behalf of the families who lost theirs during the genocide thanked Shyogwe Diocese for having organized this event. He also recalled that there are still bodies of the genocide victims who have not yet been found to be buried with dignity. For this, he asked that everyone who has the information to provide it.

The President of IBUKA in Muhanga District also thanked the Diocese of Shyogwe for having organized this commemoration event. He also recalled the importance of such an event which makes it possible to know exactly what happened and to preserve history.

The Rev. Pastor KARASIRA Prosper, Vice Legal Representative of Shyogwe Diocese delivered the message of the Bishop who was in the church mission abroad. He said that the Bishop gave the message to genocide survivors that they must survive despite the tragic events they have suffered. The Bishop also said that the Diocese will use all efforts to support the survivors of the genocide committed against Tutsi, and that it will continue to contribute to building the unity of the Rwandan people.

The Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs/Muhanga District, who was the chief guest, comforted the survivors of the genocide. He urged those present to continue to follow the policy put in place by the Government to consolidate the unity and reconciliation. He promised that Muhanga District will always be ready to work together with the Diocese of Shyogwe in various activities related to unity and the welfare of the people, and that it will always support the genocide survivors.

At the end of the commemorative service, we went to Shyogwe Genocide Memorial Site to pay respect to the victims.  Also, the Diocese gave a cow to one of the genocide survivors to support her in the process of self-reliance. Below are some photos:

The one who spoke on behalf of the families who lost theirs during the genocide thanked Shyogwe Diocese for having organized this event. He also recalled that there are still bodies of the genocide victims who have not yet been found to be buried with dignity. For this, he asked that everyone who has the information to provide it.

The President of IBUKA in Muhanga District also thanked the Diocese of Shyogwe for having organized this commemoration event. He also recalled the importance of such an event which makes it possible to know exactly what happened and to preserve history.

The Rev. Pastor KARASIRA Prosper, Vice Legal Representative of Shyogwe Diocese delivered the message of the Bishop who was in the church mission abroad. He said that the Bishop gave the message to genocide survivors that they must survive despite the tragic events they have suffered. The Bishop also said that the Diocese will use all efforts to support the survivors of the genocide committed against Tutsi, and that it will continue to contribute to building the unity of the Rwandan people.

The Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs/Muhanga District, who was the chief guest, comforted the survivors of the genocide. He urged those present to continue to follow the policy put in place by the Government to consolidate the unity and reconciliation. He promised that Muhanga District will always be ready to work together with the Diocese of Shyogwe in various activities related to unity and the welfare of the people, and that it will always support the genocide survivors.

At the end of the commemorative service, we went to Shyogwe Genocide Memorial Site to pay respect to the victims.  Also, the Diocese gave a cow to one of the genocide survivors to support her in the process of self-reliance. Below are some photos: