Internationally recognized Rwandan cultural artist, Jean Paul Samputu, has attacked the  religious community for not doing enough towards the country’s unity and reconciliation efforts.

Based in the United States, Samputu is currently in the country ahead of the international forgiveness conference to be held in Rwanda early next month.

"The government has done a lot, has fully played its part unreservedly, and great things have been achieved, but what is expected from the Church is not reflected. The Church in Rwanda is not unified, not reconciled,” Samputu said in an interview yesterday.

"The church could have spearheaded unity and reconciliation in the first place . Some churches and some religious leaders have tried their best but unity and reconciliation is not for a selected few.

"It should be championed by religious leaders who are expected to be the custodians of morals, healing hearts and leading spirituality to bring reconciliation among the population,” he explained.

Samputu, who is a goodwill cultural music ambassador to the world, gave an example of the genocide ideology reported in different communities including schools and churches as a sign of church’s failures.

A winner of various music awards, both on Africa and on the international music scene, Samputu noted that many people, including some religious leaders, talk a lot but their actions do not reflect what they preach.

"Life is not changed by knowing the words of truth but living with the truth,” Samputu challenged.

He noted that even the few religious leaders who have tried to talk about reconciliation have reluctantly taken steps towards promoting reconciliation among their congregations.
Some church leaders also agreed with the music icon.

Jane Kanyange, a female pastor agreed with Samputu saying that the church has not seriously tackled reconciliation, forgiveness and repentance gospel.

"Yes, we have not had any corporate efforts towards these issue but I believe some religious leaders have tried to handle these issues among their flock in their own capacities,” Pastor Kanyange said in a telephone interview.

She said that in Rwanda’s context reconciliation, forgiveness, repentance and unity is the gospel needed
Recently, Paul Gitwaza, another pastor told The New Times in an interview that much remained to be done to have a united church in Rwanda.

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