Rwandans should foster unity and ensure harmonious co-existence, clerics said in Easter Sunday Mass yesterday.

Speaking at different churches in Kigali, the clerics spoke of the need to help the needy and preached about the religious significance of Jesus’ resurrection symbolised by Easter.

"Easter unites us. The resurrection of Jesus united us with God and our friends. It is a message of unity with God and our friends, uniting with our hearts because sometimes our hearts prove us otherwise. It is a message of victory and unity even with all creatures of God,” said Pastor Maurice Klebert Rukimbira during Easter Mass at Saint Michel Cathedral.

"We are, therefore, required to do good for one another, share (meals) and it is a good exercise that unites us.”

Passing on the Anglican Bishop Louis Muvunyi’s message, Pastor Rukimbira said on Easter, people who are weary and burdened in this world should know that there is a word of hope that this world is not the end.

He said for Christians, it is to strengthen them so that they live in harmony.

The Archbishop of Kigali, Monsignor Thaddée Ntihinyurwa, said Jesus overcame sin because He was determined to do good as well as well as pray to God.

"He always came closer to God. Jesus loved to pray, spent 40 days and 40 nights praying. All that showed that He was with God,” Ntihinyurwa said.

He said for Christians to truly mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they should follow His path and pray to God.

"Jesus Christ told His disciples to pray so that they do not fall into temptations. Christians should understand that they are supported because they are with the Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches them to pray so that as they are together with Him, they stand firm against Satan and do good deeds,” he said.

Pastor Andrew Mukinisha, of Christian Life Assembly, said Easter is an important ceremony for Christians as it marks the resurrection of Jesus, which is the indelible sign that He is the real Messiah.

"Those forces give Christians hope in our hearts that even if we die, we will be able to resurrect and live with Him if we follow well his principles,” said Mukinisha.

He said people need to have the power of God within them in order to be able to forgive easily; tolerate and value others, knowing that they were also created in God’s Image.

Stephanie Uwimana, a Christian from Kicukiro District, said Easter is a good opportunity for people to confess their sins and embrace the good.

If all people confess and act according to God’s will, peace would be assured in the world. A person needs to realise that another was created in the image of God,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis lashed out at the "blind and brutal” terrorism afflicting Europe, Africa, Middle East and beyond.

Speaking from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, Francis lamented the difficulties of political and economic refugees looking to settle in Europe.

"This day invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees, including many children, fleeing war, hunger, poverty and social injustice,” said the pontiff.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, Monsignor Philip Rukamba, the bishop of Butare Diocese and the president of the Catholic’s Bishop Conference in Rwanda, said Good Friday means a lot for Christians.

"This is a vital day because this is the day we remember the death of Jesus Christ. Christ sacrificed his life for our sins, evil hearts and selfishness so that He returns us in the right path of loving one another and living in harmony,” he said.

Rukamba said for Christians, normally, this day is the time to forego some human instincts and engage in doing something for those who are suffering.

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