The recent appointment of Antoine Kambanda first Rwandan cardinal in 120 years by Pope Francis on November 28 has raised optimism that the Catholic Church is committed to improving its image tainted 26 years after its clergy were accused of supporting genocidaires during the Genocide Against the Tutsi.

Cardinal Kambanda who has been serving as the archbishop of Kigali Diocese was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis on 25 October and was formally assigned to the rank on November 28 in Rome.

His appointment is seen as the first major step by the Catholic Church to clean up its image in the country though calls for reparations among genocide survivors remain.

However, the Catholic Church population in the country has been dropping since late 1990s — dropping from over 50 per cent to 43 per cent of the Rwandan population, according to National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.

According to genocide survivors, the Catholic Church should take further steps to deliver justice and fight genocide ideology among its faithfuls.

Peace Muteteri, 48, is a genocide survivor and a businesswoman in Kigali. The 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi took her family and relatives. She sees Cardinal Kambanda’s appointment as a sign of resilience for survivors but also has high expectations on what the cardinal and Vatican will contribute to delivering justice.

“ It is resilience; after everything that happened and the aftermath, the Pope saw potential in him. We hope he will be the nudge that pushes for the church to fight genocide denial and deliver justice,” she said.

Antoine Cardinal Kambanda lost his parents, six siblings, and relatives in the 1994 genocide Against the Tutsi.

Cardinal Kambanda is also president of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace whose mission is to promote respect for life and human rights and social integration.

Bishop Phillipe Rukamba, president of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda also sees the appointment as a sign of support in the justice and reconciliation journey from the Pope.

Naphtali Ahishakiye, executive secretary of Ibuka noted that there are still areas of improvement by the Catholic Church.