2011-01-102011-01-102000Meiring, PGJ 2000, 'Die kerke in Rwanda : skandes en uitdagings - en lesse vir Suid-Afrika', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 1024-1042.0259-9422 (print)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/15550Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDFThe author, one of a team of South Africans invited to Rwanda to advise the newly appointed Unity and Reconciliation Commission, gives an overview of the political developments that led to the bloody genocide (February-April 1994) during which more than a million Rwandans died at the hands of their compatriots. The role that the churches played during the crisis was a disappoiniment to many; the conduct of many of the clergy - who not only condoned what was happening but actively took part in the events ... -is nothing less than shameful in view of the Gospel. If the churches want to regain their integrity, five challenges should be taken seriously: the churches should lead the country in a sincere confession of guilt; the churches should regain their prophetic witness in the country; they should contribute to leadership development and training; the churches should play their part in ministering to the poor and needy, to the traumatized in Rwanda; and, lastly, the churches should act as servants of reconciliation.AfrikaansFaculty of Theology, University of PretoriaMission of the church -- RwandaGenocide -- Rwanda -- Religious aspectsReconciliation -- Religious aspectsTruth commissions -- RwandaClergy -- Political activity -- RwandaArticle