THE 32ND COMMEMORATION OF THE GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI 1994, THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN RWANDA CALLS FOR UNITY, REMEMBRANCE, AND RESILIENCE

The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) joined Rwandans in 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In this context, this Sunday, 12 April 2026, the Church commemorated the pastors, church workers, Christians and Rwandans who lost their lives in the Genocide against the Tutsi.  This 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi took place in all EPR parishes, as had been announced to all EPR pastors and believers in a message issued on 31 March 2026 by the Church’s central leadership regarding the period of mourning.

This message further reminded Christians and church leaders that the responsibility of commemorating our loved ones who were killed because they were Tutsi must be embraced by all. It also emphasized that the guidelines issued by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement-MINUBUMWE should be strictly executed in all EPR Parishes. The Church leadership encouraged all members to stand in solidarity with Rwandans both within the country and abroad during this period of remembrance.

The church leadership reminded all church members that during prayers held throughout the one hundred days of mourning, special attention should be given to survivors who continue to face serious challenges, including physical and emotional wounds.

As emphasized, the period of mourning comes after Easter, reminding all Christians of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this context, believers are encouraged to continue drawing strength from the Word of God, which carries a message of comfort, hope, and resilience rooted in Christ’s resurrection and continue to be our source of strength as we face the consequences of the difficult times Rwanda has gone through. The word of comfort in John 14:27, (“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,”) continues to guide us during this period of remembrance of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

As we remember, we continue to reflect that the Genocide is evil, that it devastated Rwanda, taking the lives of over a million people, destroying families, the Church, and the country. Thus, remembering is a way to strive to ensure that it never happens again, whether in Rwanda or elsewhere. For this reason, the Church calls on Christians to continue respecting all guidelines and to actively contribute to the successful implementation of all commemoration activities during this mourning period.

This event took place in all Parishes, and the message delivered repeatedly focused to the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Christians were urged to continue embracing the unity of Rwandans, to oppose genocide and its ideology, and to strive not to be overwhelmed by history so that we all continue to “Remember, Unite, and Renew”.

The church was also continuously praised by guests and government officials for its significant role in caring for survivors, reuniting Rwandans, and striving for unity and reconciliation to be the foundation of the life of the Church and the country.

EVENT FROM DIFFERENT PARISHES