The event took place at Cyesamakamba Stadium in Ngoma District.
All the 21 people had been found guilty of genocide crimes by the court, served a term and released, but the Catholic Church did not immediately allow them sacraments.
Instead, the church taught them for a year and six months and took them through a reconciliation process with the families of the victims.
One of the perpetrators, Théoneste Gatesi from Mutendeli Sector, confessed killing Vestine Mukanyamwesa’s son.
When the Genocide was stopped, he escaped but was later arrested on coming back. He confessed, asked for forgiveness and was released.
“Now, I ask for forgiveness from the Government of Rwanda and all Rwandans, all survivors of the Genocide, and I ask God for forgiveness because I violated his laws, namely ‘don’t kill’, ‘don’t steal’ or ‘don’t destroy other people’s properties’ … because I myself was involved in robbery,” he confessed.
Mukamwesa told him that she forgave him, but urged him not to return to such inhuman crimes.
“When the genocide broke, I had three children, but this man (Théoneste Gatesi) killed my eldest son who was six years old. In fact, were it not for God’s mercy, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive him, but for God’s mercy I did,” she said.
“He hit him with a wooden club and killed him. But she apologized to me in the church before the people, before the Catholic Church and in the presence of God. I forgave him,” she added.
The executive secretary for the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide (CNLG) Fidele Ndayisaba urged those who asked for forgiveness to accompany it with good deeds because they speak better than words.
“The process of forgiveness in the journey of unity and reconciliation in our country is an important way to help us in the long term. What we should keep in mind is that forgiveness does not come from saying I’m sorry or ask for forgiveness, it should be accompanied by good relationships and deeds of love that are manifested every day,” he said.
“This should, therefore, be reflected in a permanent journey. Those we have received today, thank you and stay strong. For those who have apologized and those who forgave them, do not be discouraged by those who have not been able to come forward. Try and help transform others as well,” he added.
Bishop Antoine Kambanda, the new archbishop of Kigali said that apologizing and forgiving takes a great deal of courage, and the Catholic Church will follow up the process of reconciliation that it started.
“It is good for them to apologize. And we are grateful to those who have mercy on us; It is a strong step. It is also a medicine we need to heal and save the Rwandan people, build up our country and build the Church. ”
The 21 genocide perpetrators are in the first phase of those who have received counseling in reconciliation under the auspices of Kibungo Diocese under a program that will continue.
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