SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The Governor Fidele Ndayisaba, of the Southern Province has called upon the Catholic clergy in the province to use their status as opinion leaders to rally residents behind development projects.

Addressing religious leaders from Butare Catholic Diocese on Wednesday, Governor Ndayisaba said that Church leaders have an important role to play in the development of the country because of the big following they command.

The Governor said that it is important for Church leaders to be acquainted with the vision of the country for them to play an active role in its realisation.

The Catholic Church leaders who are attending a three-day seminar on peace and justice received briefing on government programmes aimed at strengthening unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

Ndayisaba said, "Programmes like decentralisation, the setting up of community arbitration committees and many poverty alleviation programmes are meant to enhance unity and reconciliation.”

The Governor called upon church leaders to use every opportunity at their disposal to explain to the laity programmes such as those to do with security, family planning and to preach against genocide ideology.

He commended the church’s role in education and health service provision and called for continued support to these sectors.

Church leaders expressed concern over the arrest of some clergy men under allegations of genocide ideology in their teachings.

Governor Ndayisaba said that before being looked at as Clergy men, such priests are seen as Rwandans and therefore bound by the laws of the land.

"Anyone who openly expresses genocide ideology is liable to punishment under the Law and priests are no exception. Being opinion leaders, priests ought to be sensitive to the message they give to the people so as to avoid controversy,” said Ndayisaba. The Governor called upon Church leaders to protect their image if they are to be trusted by their followers.

According to Monsignor Jean-Marie Vianney Gahizi, who represented the archbishop of Butare Diocese at the function, the church has a big role to play in people’s development other than nurturing their souls.

"We believe that the Church’s intervention has to be both spiritual and physical for it to remain relevant to the people,” said Monsignor Gahizi.

The Butare Diocese runs many schools and health facilities in the Province. It also caters for needy students by paying their schools fees under the organisation called Caritas.

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