Kagame Urges African Catholic Leaders to Champion Peace, Reconciliation

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame has called on African Catholic leaders to use their influence to draw out the best of humanity, taking lessons from Rwanda’s complex history as they reflect on their mission across the continent.

Kagame made the remarks on Saturday, August 2, during a meeting with Catholic clerics visiting him as part of the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), currently taking place in Kigali from July 30 to August 4.

“Rwanda represents both the worst and the best of humanity — a reminder that those with responsibilities, both in the state and the church, must harness the best of humanity,” Kagame told the delegation.

“Failure has happened before, but good people don’t accept to be held hostage by it. We must learn from our history, work together, and prepare the ground for hope, reconciliation, and peace, not just in Rwanda, but across our continent,” he added.

The assembly, held every three years, brings together more than 250 Catholic leaders, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious sisters, lay leaders, and youth representatives. This year’s plenary is being held under the theme *“Christ, source of hope, reconciliation and peace.”*

Rwanda’s historical relationship with the Catholic Church remains a deeply sensitive subject. During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, some clergy were complicit in the atrocities, while others failed to protect victims or actively obstructed rescue efforts.

In 2017, Pope Francis publicly acknowledged the Church’s failures during the genocide, calling for “a purification of memory” and a path toward renewed trust.

Rev. Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, Secretary General of SECAM, told *The New Times* that this year’s gathering is particularly focused on the Church’s role in promoting peace and reconciliation amid ongoing conflicts across Africa.

“Africa is a family, but it is a family in conflict. Wars and divisions are destroying the sense of community,” he said. “As a Church, we must reflect on how we can become peacemakers. Christ came to give us peace, not the kind the world offers, but peace that lives in the heart.”

He also noted that Rwanda was chosen to host this year’s plenary after a previous delay, and that the event rotates among Portuguese-, French-, and English-speaking countries.

Delegations from all 37 episcopal conferences across Africa are attending, with topics under discussion including political responsibility, interfaith dialogue, climate change, and the Church’s response to culturally complex situations such as polygamous unions.