The Catholic Church and the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) have criticised priests and other people who continue to spread genocide ideology mainly abroad, as this practice is against God’s will and human values.

This emerged on Saturday, as the Butare Diocese held a commemoration event in honour of the 22 priests affiliated to the diocese who were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The commemoration event took place at Christ Roi Nyanza Parish in Nyanza District, and started with a mass in honour of the victims.

Speaking during the commemoration event, CNLG Executive Secretary Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana said that some priests have deviated from their pastoral duties and instead continued to promote genocide ideology, especially abroad.

He cited Frotunatus Rudakemwa, Théoneste Nahimana, Théophile Murengerantwali, as some of the priests involved in espousing the idealogy of Genocide.

"When you consider what they say and write, they tarnish the name of the Church and your calling,” he told the clerics. I do not know how they view God because the hatred they have and spread in the world is saddening,” he said.

Monsignor Philip Rukamba, the Bishop of Butare Diocese and the President of the Catholic Episcopal Conference in Rwanda, condemned his colleagues’ actions.

"There is no way you can be a priest, nun or even an ordinary christian when all you do is promote hate or distort historical facts. The Genocide occurred and that is a fact,” he said.

He noted that it is a pity that some people indulged in the Genocide three days after Easter adding that there were some he had just baptised.

Redempta Uwimana, the representative of the families of the slain priests, called for the establishment of a monument in memory of the priests.

Bishop Rukamba said that they will erect such a monument at Christ Roi Nyanza Parish, such that every year, they will be convening there to pay tribute to them.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw