The Bishop of Rwanda—Finding Forgiveness Amidst a Pile of Bones

—Author: John Rucyahana with James Riordan
—Published: 2007 by “Thomas Nelson”
--Reviewed by: Sharron Pankhurst

Few books simultaneously make contact with your heart and your intellect at the same time. There is more to this book than the Rwandan genocide and it is the story of survivors that this book describes in detail. Read the book if only to know the truth of what really happened.

One difficult component in writing about tragedy is when the author reporting the facts has an emotional attachment to the story. It’s easy to point the finger of shame on someone--anyone. John Rucyahana and James Riordan have done their homework to write a factual narrative without employing the shame factor. Honest writing is what makes this book a good read, although not an easy read.

It’s not easy to read about the massacre of a people—men and women like you and me. Especially moving is the book’s opening story of Sefa—as I visualized the events that happened, I experienced a feeling of respect and wanted to honor the spirit of survival in this woman and in these people.

Genocides are not to be ignored; we need to discuss what happened with our friends, our coworkers, and our children. Questions are raised in the book that, as fellow members of the human race, we should seek answers to—for the next generation.

“The Bishop of Rwanda” tells the true story of the Hutus and the Tutsis who peacefully lived together in villages across the Rwandan countryside and what happened to cause the genocide—it may surprise you.

The Bishop is diligent in his life work to achieve amazing acts of forgiveness and reconciliation—not just between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, but he is also holding the religious leadership and the government accountable to be part of the movement towards reconciliation.

Do not miss the section titled, “Heroes” on page 108. Read about a Muslim man who risked his life to save others and the inspiring story of Felicity Niyitegeka, a daring Hutu Catholic lay worker. I was moved by stories of Christian and non-Christian heroism in the face of life-threatening decisions. I came away from this kind of bravery asking myself, “Do you have the guts to behave with this kind of courage?” I want to be that strong—I’m not sure I am. This book and its contents have moved me from indifference to a decision to stand for what’s right and good in whatever future situation I find myself in that requires bravery.

Bishop Rucyahana tenderly and firmly reaches out to the perpetrators—those guilty of the killings. How does anyone move on when the memory is still fresh in the minds of those who experienced and those who caused the nightmare? You don’t, and true reconciliation is an important part of the story.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll be satisfied with the historical perspective, taking you back to the politics of the 1950s. The countries who knew the truth about what was behind the genocide and chose to ignore it are named, along with naming the country’s leadership and what they told the public and the international community (in quotes) to mislead them.

Not only will you learn about the Rwandan people, both the Hutus and the Tutsis, you will experience Bishop John’s candid, personal journey toward forgiveness. I was deeply affected as I tried to digest all that he has had to let go of—in order to proceed in his own walk as a man, “Like many people in Rwanda, I have to forgive in order to live.”

I don’t know about you, but I appreciate direct, no nonsense reporting—rather rare in our culture. I found no slant on the facts meant to coach me into siding with the author’s point of view. The whole story is written as it happened, laid out with a journalistic presentation. Along with me, you’ll draw your own conclusions.

I encourage you to purchase the book from your favorite bookstore. If they don’t have it, ask them to order it. It’s worth the wait.

Also read the June 6, 2007 review on www.amazon.com by www.FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York). “Yes, it may break your heart, but it may also restore it.”