Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “Catholics have always worked hard to promote peace and reconciliation in Burundi and will continue to do so” say local Church sources in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi where newly elected President Pierre Nkurunziza urged local religious leaders to help former combatents to confess the atrocities committed during the civil conflict which started in 1993.
Burundi is striving make the conflict a thing of the past with a series of agreements which led in August to the election as president of Pierre Nkurunziza former leader of Democratic Forces for Defence rebel main Hutu group. The last rebel group FNL (National Liberation Forces) which still fights in various parts of the country has refused to sign any agreement.
Presidente Nkurunziza has said he intends to form a Nationalo Truth and Reconciliation Commission similar to the one formed in South Africa at the end of Apartheid. The president has asked everyone including the Churches to help him restore peace in the hearts of the people.
“The Church has worked at this task for some time focussing catechesis on forgiveness and reconciliation. And in collaboration with the Catholic Church in the United States we have started a propgramme to promote reconciliation at grass roots level among individuals” the source told Fides.
“In October there will be a Catholic Church Synod on Peace and Reconciliation with the participation of delegates from every diocese ” the source said”.
Besides pastoral work the Church in Burundi offers important social services. At a recent meeting the Catholic Bishops and Presidente Nkurunziza discussed how the Church could increase her contribution to education , so neceesary to restore peace. “Presidente Nkurunziza asked religious leaders to offer church institutions as class rooms since schools are scarce in Burundi. The Church has built schools in many parts of the country. The President’s new request will not go unheeded although it will not be easy to combine demands of school activities with the needs of pastoral work” the source told Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2005 righe 33 parole 397)
