The Church as a place of wounds and healing. The story of the reconciliation of Anyesie Mukankak from Rwanda

Abstract

Rwanda is already 25 years after the 1994 genocide experience. In the collective consciousness, this African country has experienced massive genocide. However, 1,000,000 victims are primarily personal dramas of Rwandans and their families. The testimony of Anyesie Mukankaka shows how a woman who lost her husband and children faces the challenge of forgiving. What role does the Catholic Church play in this process? In the history of her life it can be seen that the Church was a place where she was wounded, but in the Church she also experienced the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation. Currently, the Catholic Church in Rwanda is active in inspiring justice, reconciliation and therapy to heal the traumatized lives of individuals. The history of the Rwandan Church is most often recalled today in the context of participation in genocide, but the truth is that over 250 Catholic clergy gave their lives in defense of the persecuted Tutsi. The Rwandan Church is the one in which people were wounded, the church in which the victims of genocide are treated and is a church that was also wounded in the tragic events of 1994.