by ANB-BIA, Brussels, March 1998
Part 1/3: I. Political History - Part 2/3: II. The Church in Burundi
In a country where the majority of people were Catholics, the Church was a force to be reckoned with, both on the spiritual and on the material level. Maybe it's because of this, that President Bagaza turned on the Church? "Two powers in one country - impossible", might have been his thinking!
The outside would was especially perturbed when most of the missionaries and foreign religious were expelled. Already, under Micombero, after the 1972 "events", many missionaries had been expelled. Under Bagaza, expulsions became the order of the day. A first group of missionaries, especially from the diocese of Bururi, were expelled in 1979. He then "got to work" on all the dioceses. The missionaries were never officially "expelled". Their visas were not renewed so they had to leave the country, one by one. By the time Bagaza was overthrown in 1987, there were only about ten missionaries remaining. Within the space of eight years, 450 had to leave Burundi.
The Church suffered. However, Burundian priests and religious rose to the challenge and did their utmost to see that the flock was not left unattended. Other measures taken by Bagaza did far more damage and indeed were disastrous for the Church.
In 1979, the Catholic weekly, Ndongozi, was suppressed. The Small Christian Communities were only allowed to gather together on Sundays and then only in the parish centres (previously, as their name suggests, they were to be found in every small locality). In 1984, every religious activity was forbidden on working days. In the following years, restrictions and bans multiplied. The State took over the Church-run schools, Catholic Action groups, Youth groups and Church-run literacy centres. Seminaries were turned into colleges. Catechists' schools were closed. Parish councils abolished. The office of "Catechist" was abolished. Religion was no longer allowed to be taught in schools. Small Christian Communities were abolished. The crunch came in 1987 with the closing of a large number of churches, including Gitega Cathedral.
With Bagaza's downfall, most of these restrictions were lifted and the Church rejoiced in her new-found freedom. But the shadow of those dark years remained, especially among young people who had experienced a great ideological confusion which they could not easily shake-off. There was however, a positive side to what had occurred. The local Church was forced to take in hand her own responsibilities and had to rely on her own strength. A number of missionaries have returned...to work within a new framework. The seminaries have never been so full as they are now. The Church in Burundi has at last become truly Burundian.
Burundi is presently experiencing a civil war, made worse by ethnic tension. Each group has its extremists.
The Church is suffering in more ways than one. Remember, more than 65% of the population is Catholic. This means, it is Christians who are fighting each other, who are killing each other. It is Christians who are suffering the consequences of war - all kinds of privations, persecution, famine and food shortages. Christians form the majority in the two main ethnic groups, and they are afraid of each other. On the other hand, Christians are stretching out a helping hand to each other, are looking for ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation to their shattered country.
By 1972, most of the victims of this carnage were Christians. Among them - 18 priests, six Brothers and two Sisters have been executed.
The historian, J.P. Chrétien, writes: "The 1972 crisis hit the Church head-on [...] the crisis showed how fragile Christian values can be when faced with this unleashing of violence". Mgr. Makarakiza says: "All this hatred which is present everywhere, has shaken us out of our present illusions. We thought that because outward Christian practice appeared to be strong, this was a sign that the Faith was firmly entrenched". The Major Religious Superiors are clear: "Because of what has happened, our pastoral strategy must be entirely re-examined".
The Church, especially the Bishops, have done everything possible over the years, to reconcile the country with itself and to find ways and means of establishing true democracy.
First of all, in the preparations for the 1993 general elections: Bishop Ntamwana of Bujumbura issued an especially significant Pastoral Letter entitled "Let My people Go". Father Ntibazonkica describes it as: "A reference book for democracy". The Church also took an active part in the various national commissions. Two Bishops (Kaburungu and Ngoyagoye) were members of the preparatory commission drawing up the Charter of Unity; two others, (Bududira and Ntamwana) were members of the Economic and Social Affairs Commission; three priests (including Mgr Nterere) were members of the preparatory commission for revising the Constitution.
After President Ndadaye's election and the parliamentary elections, the Bishops, in an official letter, congratulated the new President and exhorted those who had won seats in Parliament, to moderation. They also invited those who were unsuccessful, to play an active role in a constructive Opposition. We know what then happened...
It's difficult to estimate the number of victims during all these years of civil war: 150,000? 200,000? A number of the clergy have also been killed. The most well-known is Archbishop Joachim Runhuna of Gitega, assassinated on 9 September 1996. Other bishops, including Bishop Nterere, have escaped numerous assassination attempts.
Divisions among Burundians are also reflected among the priests and religious, at least among a certain section. However, even though each and every priest and religious belongs to one ethnic group or another, most of the clergy do their very best to preserve unity, preach reconciliation and above all, help all those in need. The Bishops' Conference has been a shining example in this.
On 29 August 1997, the Bishops's Conference sent a "Message from the Bishops to Politicians". In their Message, the Bishops said: "In the present situation in which our country has found itself for a number of years, we wish to reaffirm that the only way to peace and reconciliation is through political dialogue or frank negotiations...Everybody knows that what has been called "politics" in the past, has lead, these days to a contempt for life, resulting in collective and repeated massacres. This has been our sad history. Today this is turning into a general ethnic war, where cold-bloodied vengeance reaps havoc among the population. And all the while, the politicians say they're not responsible. Politicians have got to make their voices heard and overcome their partisan and self- centred interests...We sincerely hope that our leaders and our politicians will do everything possible so that peace returns to our country..."
On many occasions the Bishops, either as a group or individually, have addressed their Christian faithful on the subject of peace and reconciliation. The following are quotations from some of their texts, and readers will see for themselves that the Bishops are quite clear about their own position.
In their Christmas (1996) and New Year's Message (1997), at the end of the Bishops' Conference Annual Meeting, the Bishops of Burundi wrote: "God our Father, save Burundi from war and hatred...War is bad!...It is a serious sin to murder someone...We must turn our backs on war and on all those who advocate war. We must be counted among the first who defend peace...It's often said that this war is an ethnic war; that the Bahutu want to liberate their oppressed fellow-tribesmen, and that the Batutsi want to protect their own people who are threatened. In reality, all those who wage war, are after the political power...Burundi's war is collective suicide. We are now getting so used to massacres that when there are deaths, nobody dares announce it...Presently, even those who don't want war are swept along by the force of circumstances. Whoever refuses to obey, is killed. It's for these reasons that we must make our voices heard. Dialogue between Burundians is still possible. We must all look for the victory of truth and righteousness. It's only then that we can guarantee a mutual respect for each other, and hence rebuild relationships and mutual esteem among ourselves...May the Lord of all mercy and of forgiveness, save our country and all our people from violence and war".
A year later, the Bishops hardened somewhat the tone of their communications, perhaps even becoming a little more bitter. In his 1997 Christmas greetings to his friends and benefactors, Archbishop Ntamwana wrote: "Burundi has now begun in its fourth year of murderous violence. Our people live in terror. Many suffer from those who are supposed to be their leaders...All this is increasing the ever-widening gap of hatred among people. And hate kills!...Burundians are continuing to fight. By so doing, Burundians think they have found that taking hold of power is a quick way of getting rich. We are unwilling to learn anything from the example of our ancestors who extolled the virtues of dialogue; neither from past wars which only ended after discussions; neither from the Gospel, familiar to 80% of Burundians and which they say they believe in!...In between times, the people die from starvation, from disease, from poverty, because our country's economy is at rock bottom - the small amount of cash which remains in the public coffers is knowingly looted...It makes one think of the prophet Jeremiah's devastated vineyard...but all will be well, one day, because God became our Saviour, He is with us".
In his Christmas Message to the Christians of Bururi, Bishop Bududira of Bururi wrote: "God created man in His own image and likeness...But those who kill others, those who destroy, those who loot, have they any heart and intelligence? They are a shame for humankind...I ask you: Are you really trying to imitate those who have received "the power to become children of God?" You can show this by the kindness and the tenderness with which you welcome those who return after fleeing from their homes...Do your very best to do away with anything which leads to hatred. Work as one to prevent rumours and calumnies circulating. Join together in defending the weak. Unite in encouraging others to have compassion and forgiveness..."
On 17 February 1998, the Bishops of Rwanda and Burundi met together in Assembly. They sent the following Message to their Faithful: "The Church in Rwanda and Burundi, in spite of many trials, is preparing to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2000. The Church in Burundi is presently celebrating 100 years presence in the country. In two years, the Church in Rwanda will be preparing for a similar event. We call on all Christians to accept the responsibility of bringing peace to our countries and we encourage them to pursue justice, forgiveness and reconciliation...to struggle against ethnocentrism - a virus which for too long has been dividing our countries. Their watchwords must be: "Love for, and solidarity with, their neighbours". They must do everything possible to accept each other and work towards reconciliation...May the Holy Spirit guide us along the road to a change in our lives, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace".
DIOCESES AND BISHOPS OF BURUNDIArchdiocese of GITEGA: Simon Ntamwana |
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Part 1/3: I. Political History - Part 3/3: III. A Church in agony
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement