Africa

Catholic Church In Rwanda Apologizes For Role In Country's Genocide

In 1994, over 700,000 ethnic Tutsis were killed by Hutu extremists.

Catholic Church In Rwanda Apologizes For Role In Country's Genocide
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The Catholic Church in Rwanda has apologized for its part in the country's genocide. 

In 1994, Hutu extremists killed roughly 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus who opposed the genocide. 

A statement from the Conference of Catholic Bishops on Sunday admitted members of the church helped plan and carry out some of the attacks. 

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A number of priests, nuns and clergymen killed those seeking refuge in churches.

For years after the genocide, the local church refused to admit its role in it. In their statement, the bishops asked for forgiveness and said Rwanda's people are one family. 

So far, the Catholic Church as a whole hasn't officially admitted the exact roles its members had in the massacre.