Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches [Paperback]

Carol Rittner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2004

In 1994, genocide put Rwanda on the map for most of the world. It also exposed one of the most shameful scandals of the Rwandan churches-the complicity of the Christian churches in the genocide. Rwanda is the most Christian country in Africa. More than 90% of its people are baptized Christians, with the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches having the greatest number of adherents. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "The story of Rwanda shows both sides of our humanity. The churches were sometimes quite superb in what they did in the face of intimidation and at great cost to themselves. But there were other times when [they] failed dismally and seemed to be implicated in ways that have left many disillusioned, disgruntled and angry." Genocide In Rwanda provides a variety of perspectives through which to assess the complex questions and issues surrounding the topic, and, even raise some new questions that could provide some new insight into this historical event. They are questions we must ask - otherwise, how can the Church begin to make moral restitution, change structures and behaviors, and once again reveal the human face of God in our fragile world?>

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol Rittner, R.S.M., is distinguished professor of holocaust and genocide studies at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. >

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Paragon House (August 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557788375
• ISBN-13: 978-1557788375
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > History > Africa > Rwanda
  • #60 in Books > History > Africa > Central Africa
  • #94 in Books > History > Historical Study > Essays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, But Could Have Been Better, June 27, 2005

By 

Seeking To Understand the World - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches (Paperback)

Don't get me wrong, this is an important book to read, but I think the editors could have done a better job of well, editing. This is because many of the essays contained in the book start with a very similar introduction of the facts that lead up to what occurred: the Hutus and Tutsis have had a history of distrust and hatred, the Belgian colonists used the ruling Tutsi class, then they switched to supporting the Hutus, the church has continued to foster the ethnicity issue, etc. This is of course important information, but I don't think it was necessary to repeat it as often as it was done so. In addition, many of the same points were made a number of the included essays. For example, the church (meaning pretty much the Catholic Church, though there were a few mentions of the Anglican and Baptist Churches, and a page in passing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its situation with Pastor Ntakirutimana), was more interested in number of baptisms than in discipling the converts, and, when the genocide occurred, was more interested in keeping quiet (for political gain or perhaps to save one's neck) than in condemming the killings.
I suppose both of these nits I am picking are problems when you have a collection of essays included in a book form, but it did make for a quite repetitive read at times. In addition, I was hoping when I bought the book, to get a wider picture of what was occurring in all churches present in Rwanda at the time, not just the Catholic Church. Of the ~90% of the population in Rwanda in 1994 that claimed to be Christian, it is true that a large majority were Catholics and the trials that this church underwent were probably indicative of the problems of others, but I wanted to know specifics of all churches, not just a mention here or there.
As a Christian, it is important to be reminded of just how human we are and the mistakes we can make when we're not careful in following Christ and for this, the book is a good and meaningful read. It is also highly referenced (Hello, Philip Gourevitch of "We Wish to Inform You...", it would be nice if you had done this in your book) which is a big plus for those of us who want to find out more information. The references not only include other books, but journal articles and other printed sources as well as videos/DVD's and websites.
In the end, however, I come back to the original statement that it is a good book, but it seemed it could have been better...

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of questions, few answers, October 17, 2009

By 

Simba wa Yuda "Daudi" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches (Paperback)

The overarching impression I was left with was the lack of details in many of the articles. There was a lot of "talking around" the issue without a lot of specifics as to what actually did and did not occur. I guess I was looking at something a bit more investigative than what was presented here.

The articles ran the gamut. There were some with an obvious church-bashing agenda. There were a few self-flagellating articles written by churchmen and women. And there were a few that highlighted the heroic efforts made in countless churches, convents and monasteries across Rwanda.

What it was difficult to come away with from the book was the extent of the church's complicity. That's what I had hoped to glean from this book, but alas it wasn't to be.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little talky, but good if one is interested in topic, May 30, 2011

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jenna randolph (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches (Paperback)

This is a book that gives further insight into the catholic community and sect and its missionaries and how they can become connected with very horrifying genocide, such as in Rwanda or with the Christians in Serbia. An important book, and worth reading in tandem with other genocides around the world, though less a degree for catholic nationalist in Ireland, as that is only partly religious. The overriding question of catholic community aggression and how it is attached to these genocides, as well as doctrine is not addressed, though, but put off on "19th century ideas). But there are examples in 20th century, and this was not in 19th century. A must read for Americans, since some books predict similar problems as the country has opened the south border (through the Hart-Celler act, which was catholic driven). Avro Manhattan's book on Serbia (the vatican's holocaust)--- suggests America may be the next Yugoslavia, and with another protestant subjergence (which is already felt)