When Priests Forgot About God: An Analysis of the Catholic Church's Role in Genocide

Authors

Mary M. Fertitta, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow

Name of Faculty Sponsor

Ryan Ronnenberg, Ph.D.

Faculty Sponsor Email

pryan4@kennesaw.edu

Author Bio(s)

Mary Fertitta received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, having graduated from Kennesaw State University in December 2019. Ms. Fertitta also received a Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Kennesaw State University. Ms. Fertitta retired from the law firm of Alston & Bird, LLP. on July 31, 2018. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta and Gamma Theta Upsilon honor societies.

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

The Catholic Church in Rwanda for more than a century was a witness to the atrocities of genocide. One million Rwandans died in 100 days while many Catholic priests and nuns stood by offering no assistance. Others participated in the slaughter. The majority of those killed were killed in churches or on church grounds. Since Belgium's acquisition of Rwanda, there have been ties between the Catholic Church and the government of Rwanda. The Catholic Church blamed Belgium for the ethnic class designations and for disturbing the native culture. The Church and priests, however, remained silent and maintained their silence to keep teaching and practicing in Rwanda. While over 60,000 were charged in connection with the genocide, imprisoned for hate crimes, and later released, fewer than twenty, including priests and nuns, were tried and sentenced.

KEYWORDS: Catholic Church, Priests, Rwanda, Genocide