The Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, delivered this message during the Easter Vigil Mass held at Saint Michel Cathedral Parish in Kigali.
The service brought together believers preparing to celebrate Easter, one of the most significant feast in the Catholic Church, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In his homily, Cardinal Kambanda stressed that faith remains the foundation of all aspects of life, noting that many of today’s challenges, including family breakdowns and conflicts around the world, stem from a lack of strong belief.
“Faith is the foundation of everything,” he said, urging Christians to remain rooted in their beliefs and to become true witnesses of Christ in their daily lives.
He further encouraged the faithful to let the spirit of Easter strengthen love among them, helping them resist violence and wrongdoing. He called on Christians to embrace the light of Christ and turn away from sin and hatred.
The Cardinal also warned against growing materialism, saying that the desire for worldly possessions is increasingly overshadowing love for God. He reminded believers that one cannot serve both material wealth and God at the same time.
As Rwanda approaches the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Cardinal Kambanda reflected on its connection to faith, describing the tragedy as a sign of moral failure where true Christian values were lacking.
He drew parallels between the suffering of genocide victims and that of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and compassion.
He urged Christians to continue honoring the victims while also supporting survivors with care and love, noting that their needs remain significant despite their survival.
Cardinal Kambanda also called on all believers to pray for peace in Rwanda, the region, and the world, so that people may live together in harmony and stability.
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