Hope and Forgiveness for Rwandan genocide victims and perpetrators

Pastor initiates healing and reconciliation for survivors of 1994 atrocities

by Kathy Melvin | Presbyterian News Service

LAKE KIVU, Rwanda – The Rev. Jerome Bizimana knows the work of forgiveness is “never easy.” This is especially true in Rwanda where 23 years ago, in April 1994, hatred between Hutu and Tutsi tribal groups led to genocide and the death of more than 800,000 Rwandans. Although it has been more than two decades, the wounds are still very much alive.

Bizimana is helping begin the work of reconciliation in the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda by bringing together perpetrators and survivors in a group known as the “Light Group.”

Light Group members travel from parish to parish in Rwanda giving testimony during worship. Some talk about how they’ve asked for forgiveness, others how they’ve learned to forgive those who killed family members.

“Is still very much a process, but I’m happy to see them working together, worshiping together,” says Bizimana. “They’re educating the new generation. When they give this kind of testimony there is hope for the future of the church.”