Are you a member of the Anglican Mission in America? Are you
aware of Bishop John Rucyahana of Rwanda? Have you donated to one of his many
causes? If so, there is a reason you should be worried.
It is very rare that a bishop gets mentioned by an important
United Nation report for funding a murderous rebel group. But this is Rwanda where
there is a long history of the church being used to serve sinister political agendas.
Rucyahana has similarly failed to live up to expectations
and has betrayed the powerless—the very people he ought to support.
Thus, while this might come to you as a surprise, to many Rwandans
it is not. The history of the church in Rwanda is mired with the blood of the
innocent. In 1994, the Hutu church leaders joined hands with the government to
terminate a section of the Rwandan society. History continues to repeat.
For all the reconciliation talk, Dr. Philip Cantrell's work
has shown that Rucyahana and the leadership of the Anglican church of Rwanda have
continued to move toward an extremist Tutsi ideology—which believes that full control
of all state power is necessary for their survival. In the process, the church has
been relegated to an instrument for Tutsi power propaganda.
However, Rucyahana is accused of much more. The latest UN
report categorically identifies the bishop as one of the financiers of M23, a
notorious Rwanda-backed Tutsi rebel that is blamed for much of the havoc in
Eastern Congo. Rucyahana is also identified as a top leader in the Rwandan
ruling party.
For more than a decade now, Rwanda’s ruling regime has participated
in the open plunder of the Congo leaving behind a trail of innocent blood.
About 5 million people have died in the process and its eastern region—close to
Rwandan borders has never fully recovered. The suffering has been even more
devastating for children and women—the region has been called the rape capital
of the world!
So how does such a respected bishop who is supposed to be
enjoying a quiet retirement at home with his grandchildren get involved in such
carnage? This is a question that is difficult to answer and would require a
serious analysis of human nature. It is difficult to understand the motivations
that lead people into such blatant evil.
To be fair, Rucyahana boasts a number of impressive accomplishments
as well. For instance, he has built the Sonrise Academy, which is one of the
leading educational towers in Rwanda. It is also through him that Rwanda has
attracted a lot of direct investments—some of which has no doubt benefited the
people.
Most significantly, Rucyahana has been the link between mega-church
leader Rick Warren and the Rwandan government. Pastor Warren, on his part, has promised
to make Rwanda the first “purpose-driven” nation.
It is not clear whether Warren fully understands what he got
himself into or whether some of his money has been channeled to support M23
What we know for sure is that Warren continues to be an
active supporter of the Rwandan dictator, Paul Kagame, having conferred to him
his annual International Medal of Peace. Of course, the story cannot get any more
cynical! Warren also has a Rwandan passport, which was given to him some two
years ago.
Regardless of what path the members of the Anglican mission
in America will take, it is imperative for them to become aware of what kind of
people they are supporting in Rwanda. They should also try to get informed on
the escalating humanitarian situation in the Congo where the M23 is reportedly conducting
a revenge slaughter against local leaders who refused to support them.
In this interconnected world, there is no reason for lending
blind support to any criminal regardless of their credentials. Indeed, Rucyahana's accomplishments mean nothing if the murder of millions of people is the price to pay.
Lastly, it is important,
when helping, to keep in mind of how our aid will affect people. In this sad but
yet to be finished episode, your money might be causing murder, pillaging and
rape of the Congolese nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment