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

by John Rucyahana, James Riordan

In 1994, as his country descended into the madness of genocide, Anglican Bishop John Rucyahana underwent the mind-numbing pain of having members of his church and family butchered. John refused to become a part of the systemic hatred. He founded the Sonrise orphanage and school for children orphaned in the genocide, and he now leads reconciliation efforts between his own Tutsi people, the victims of this horrific massacre, and the perpetrators, the Hutus. His remarkable story is one that demands to be told.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, History, Biography, Rwanda, Christian, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2007

About the author

Anglican Bishop John Rucyahana (b. 1945; a Tutsi) was elected Bishop of the Shyira diocese of Rwanda in 1997. During his term, John often escaped death, even as many pastors, friends, and family members were killed in the ongoing genocide. John works tirelessly for a spiritual renewal in Rwanda: having founded the Sonrise orphanage for children orphaned in the genocide, and ministering in prisons to its perpetrators. He and his wife, Harriet, have five children.

Reviews

[Pattyrflg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bishop John Rucyahana says "In 1994, at least 1,117,000 innocent people were massacred in a horrible genocide in Rwanda, my homeland in central Africa." He tells of the political background and a government that pushed men and women to kill their fellow countrymen, friends and neighbors. He tells of how Satan reigned in their minds and hearts for a time and the burden the guilty had to deal with later. It is his belief that the Rwandan people had not truly accepted Jesus, as the local churches boasted before the genocide. If they had "true Christianity," there would have been no genocide--"People who truly know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, undergo a transformation from within. The Holy Scriptures-not their hate and prejudices-guide them."

I feel Bishop Rucyahana's most important message is "Sometimes evil has its day because men have so overturned themselves to it. But even then, God does not abandon them. God awaits to perform a miracle." The Bishop and his fellow protestant leaders have come together to evangelize Rwanda and promote "true Christianity." They have worked very hard for true forgiveness and repentance so the Rwandan people can live life together again--"With god all things are possible."

This was a very informative book on a topic I knew very little about. I know there have been many genocides like this within African nations. It was helpful to read about the political background that led to it. I gave only 4 stars because I would have liked to have had the Bishop relate more details about the changes he has seen through his work and the work of the other protestant leaders.

[Jenn Sarich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thing globally we all learn about the holocaust. I only learnt about the Rwanda genocide in 2018.... and I was alive when this happened! That’s not right.
This book also gives you a glimpse into the impacts that colonisation has had on countries in a different way though - made the tribes hate one another.
Ultimately though this book gives you hope. If the people of Rwanda can find hope and reconcile after the atrocities that occurred, none of us have an excuse. Much love to all my brothers and sisters in Rwanda ❤️

[Andrew Daniels · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is misclassified on Goodreads as history
This is an error. As history, this is unresearched nonsense, incoherent and messy. This book misleads, sometimes out of ignorance, but many times in a deliberate way. This is an opinion book meant to influence your viewpoints on Rwandan history, but it is not a reliable source. It is deliberately manipulative.

Poor editing, full of errors. There are words spelt correctly within a sentence, and then spelled wrong in the same sentence.

Factual errors: "The government controlled the radio in
1994; its version of the news was what the people heard. The government
station was Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLMC), and no one
else was allowed to broadcast." --> totally incorrect. The government radio was Radio Rwanda, and RTLM was a private broadcaster, with private shareholders that received government support.
In addition to the two legal broadcasters, the people could also hear Radio Muhabura, the rebel radio. So RTLM was not the government station, not the only one allowed to broadcast and the government did not effectively control the radio, so "its version of the news was what people heard" is an incorrect characterization of the radio situation in 1994.

Factual error: " France was
supplying the entire government budget from the president's salary to the
salary of the people who swept the floors." - 100% nonsense

Other statements are difficult to prove conclusively wrong, yet stretch credibility and given the lack of credibility by the author, are easy to dismiss. The author claimed to have observed Belgian helicopters dropping matchbooks to assist Hutu mobs to burn down the huts of Tutsi chiefs -- utterly ludicrous, and extremely doubtful to have ever happened. Its an extrapolation of Belgian support for PARMEHUTU at that juncture, but dubious this actually occurred. The claim of personal observation is meant to legitimize this accusation on its own.

The author is all about making blanket statements and accusations all throughout, these are often not explained, nor does he explain the history for it. You'd better know the top 100 most important personages in Rwandan history, because he's going to refer to people left and right and tell you why they are awful, as if you already know who they are and what they did.

The author gives the mistaken impression that compulsory labour was distinct to the Belgian period, where its actually been normal in 19th century Rwanda before European contact, and it is maintained to this day since independence. The only thing distinct to the Belgian period was the extensive whipping, but this book glides past a lot of chronology, facts etc..
The characterization of MUTARA III is particularly deceptive, the author claims he was the champion of ethnic equality and fought against Tutsi privilege, completely unsupported by what the mwami actually did.

There are massive parts of history missing, deliberately ignored in a calculated way by the author

Furthermore, be prepared - you are going to dive into a long examination of "satanic power", what the power of satan can do and what is demonic or whatnot. He says Mobutu is a satanic cult that sacrifices 200 people at a time, and Idi Amin was really a satanist, not Muslim.

This would be irresponsible to read unless you've read the premodern, modern and post-independence histories of Rwanda. You wouldn't be able to distinguish the half-lies, outright lies and manipulations from threads of half-truths and truths. This is a bad choice, so I do not recommend it.

The trap of this book is that anyone who has enough knowledge to understand all his references would be too well-read to fall for all his nonsense. In effect, this book has no audience, he managed to make this book inapplicable to anyone, so its functionally irrelevant.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very hard to understand genocide....actual true genocide. Rwanda's genocide surpassed Cambodia's, Nazi Germany's and other countries genocidal programs as Rwanda was able to enroll much of the country to wipe out over 1 million citizens in only 100 days. How does a country overcome this? How does a country heal? How does a country move on and ask it's citizens to repent, ask for forgiveness? How does a country forgive and ask it's citizens to forgive? Could you forgive if all of your family members were killed? Killed by your next door neighbors?

This book shows what led up to this slaughter, how it stopped and how Rwanda was able to regroup and grow beyond. This goes into the 8 steps that allow genocide to happen (perfectly outlining October 7, sadly).

[Caroline Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed account of the socio-political (from colonialism and dependence on other nations to the spiritual) influences that led to the genocide and its aftermath. The author went into great lengths to explain what life was like before and during the genocide- many parts were difficult to read about.

How and really the greater question is -does- a nation recover from something like this? the author premises that Rwanda has been changed, and is currently being restored because of the hope and forgiveness of the gospel. A very powerful story of a nation repenting from its darkness and doing the hard work of reconciliation and recompense.

[Beth Mumford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the detailed explanation of the history the led up to the Genocide. The stories were detailed enough so that you got an accurate view of the atrocities and evil that took place. The majority of the book was about the history so only a small part of the book discussed the forgiveness piece.

[Nathan Swedberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

- captivating and eye-opening
- had to put the book down several times (even now re-reading about ten years later) because of the gravity of the descriptions
-there are some big statements made on culpability that are hard to stomach, would like more evidence

[Dave Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painful to read...yet well written.
The story of the genocide was just painful as many times you see the Rwandan's as being doomed. I loved how this book develops to speak of hope, change, and betterment.

This has definitely got me more interested in reading more about the Rwandan Genocide

[Christine Welten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible read. Tears and horror, mind blowing forgiveness and grace. It left me praising God and looking at where I needed to extended grace and forgiveness in my own life and community.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, The Bishop of Rwanda is a book about truth. It was written from the heart and soul of one who has witnessed mankind's most deplorable depravity and cruelty. Throughout the book one finds example after example of the brutal inhumanity of the Rwandan genocide of the mid-1990s. These are ugly, dark-souled truths. These are acts so sadistic and disturbing that one's heart and mind are challenged to accept them as truths. Yet, truths they are, and the evidence speaks for itself. Genocide is ugly and unspeakable. It is a truth that no one wishes to accept or acknowledge, but if Rwanda and the nations of the world are to move forward, the first thing that we must do is leave the relative safety of denial. We must accept the truth, and then we must do what is right.

Within the pages of this book, John Rucyahana and James Riordan show that truth is beautiful and uplifting. Even though this book is an indictment of the numerous failures of governments and individuals, it is also a gentle plea for forgiveness that drowns out any shouted demand for retribution. This book is an invitation for Tutsis and Hutus to find reconciliation without revenge. The Bishop of Rwanda is a chronicle of the long and arduous road to forgiveness upon which all Rwandans must travel: a road that must be taken, and a road that cannot be traveled alone. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”

The survivors and the perpetrators of the genocide have been deeply affected by the horrors of those days of tumult, torture, rape, and mass murder. Because of the genocide, the perpetrators and their misguided followers must find the strength to admit their sin and ask for forgiveness. Because of the genocide, the survivors must gather the will and courage to forgive those who committed these unthinkable crimes against their neighbors. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-16, NIV)

Tyler Edwards, author of Zombie Church: Breathing Life Back Into the Body of Christ, reminds us, “The truth is, the Devil's job is easy.” One need only to look at what happened in Rwanda to know this is the case. Genocides have occurred far too often throughout history, and until the world comes to recognize the signs of this evil and resolves to prevent it, there will be more genocides. The Tutsis and Hutus of John Rucyahana's homeland have suffered through the anguish of genocide. Today, through understanding, forgiveness, cooperation, and faith, Rwanda stands facing a new dawn. True peace and prosperity have become very real possibilities as a direct result of repentance, forgiveness, and faith following the genocide in Rwanda. John Rucyahana's message of peace and forgiveness serves as a guiding light for not only Rwandans, but for all of mankind. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37, NIV)

Finally, The Bishop of Rwanda is a testimony of hope and transformation. As Rwandan survivors of genocide learn to forgive those who committed these acts, the nation itself is transforming, a phoenix rising from the ashes of its own immolation. The hope for a true transformation in Rwanda is, perhaps, best summed up in the Bible: ”Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Some books offer profound wisdom. Some books leave a lasting impression. Some books guide mankind onto the right path. The Bishop of Rwanda does all three.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading My Father, Maker of the Trees, How I Survived the Genocide in Rwanda; I wanted to learn more about what I had remembered vaguely, when it happened, and came to this book, the Bishop of Rwanda. The author gives a very detailed account of the history that set up the events for the genocide, as well as what happened during this horrendous slaughter. It is pretty graphic at times, and once again, it shocks me how evil men's deeds can be particularly when they join together. What follows this horror, however, is the amazing power of the Grace of God in taking something so horrible, and bringing hope and forgiveness into the hearts of those willing to allow Him in! People left to themselves become so controlled by Satan that they can commit unspeakable horrors. And people who give themselves to the Lordship of Jesus can bring unbelievable resurrection Life into such horror! This book greatly strengthens my faith in how God can take what was meant for evil, and transform it into Glory!

[Nicholas Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Bishop Rucyahana a few years ago and was blown away by his character, humility, and passion. This book is excellent, not only is it a great overview of the history leading up to and fomenting the resulting genocide, but it places the human component front and center. These are real people, these are real stories. Their pain is real, it cannot be ignored.

This is not an easy book to read, for readers in the US or Europe our role in the violence cannot be avoided or passed over. The effects of colonization, greed, and defense of the status quo planted the seeds for genocide and refused to stop the violence once it began. But the story doesn't end there, the last half of the book tells the story of reconciliation, the story of forgiveness, and the desperate struggle to build anew. A story which began in violence now ends in grace and love, not through the efforts of man, but only through the redeeming power of Christ.

This book is highly, highly recommended.

[Frans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am giving this book 3-stars; usually I am always on a 4, mostly because for sometimes now all the books I read are chosen with a purpose. The 3-stars came about maybe because of my very inner bound preconceptions about religion and church, even though I have deduced from the Bishops' narratives that he is more about Jesus. Or because I had great expectation, I come to this book because I caught a glimpse of the fascinating story of John Rucyahana as it was told in A Thousand Hills. Nonetheless the Bishop gave me another perspective of Rwanda's story and I am grateful, maybe the story just needed a little flair in the way it was told (my opinion/expectation) . Note: I still cannot put into context that a human being can cut open a pregnant woman, remove an unborn fetus, kill it for the mother to see and hack the mother's head off (please explain you all?). There is really a thin line between being human and evil.

[Mary Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful recounting of John Rucyahana growing up amidst the horrific genocide in Rwanda, and how God used him from the refugee camps to later helping heal his country. It seems everywhere he went, John Rucyahana was used by God to impact people's lives.

This true story held me fast, taught me lessons, and enlarged my own dreams. The book is a gripping read and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Those who are especially concerned about writing style may be a bit put off by the occasional repetition of some details in sections with differing purposes, and by shifts back and forth in time. But to me, those craft issues were minor blips to the unfolding of this incredibly moving and inspiring story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book painfully depicts the genocide of the Tutsis that was perpetrated by the Hutus in Rwanda beginning in 1994. The true story is even more horrendous than I knew. The genocide that occurred there excels Nazi Germany in barbarity and death rates. John Rucyahana is an Anglican Bishop in Rwanda and writes his account very well. The end is hopeful and describes how Rwanda has improved immensely in recent years, due to the country turning to God in ways that would make Americans blush because of the Rwandans' refreshing political incorrectness. Hurray for Rwanda today! I highly recommend this book.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Bishop John Ruchyahana, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Rwanda, shows how the Rwandans are learning to grieve their losses, forgive their neighbors who have killed their families, and find new ways to live that aren't based on fear, lack of education, and lies. The social structures are beginning to change. People are beginning to become educated in such a way there is our bishop. I have friends who have met this man and they are proof that what he writes is indeed happening. Read it to find hope for our world in spite of wars and violence that is so widespread.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about the politics of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and how the world turned it's back on Rwanda. It's fairly graphic, but the author writes with understanding and compassion, being a Rwandan man himself. He talks about how people in his country are reluctant to trust the clergy, as many clergypeople in 1994 were inciting and perpetrating the genocide. He talks about healing, trust, repentance and the presence of God in reconciling the ethnic groups, and how God is blessing Rwanda today. An excellent read and very insightful.

[Ken Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering read that shares the horrifying context and story of a genocide that happened before our very eyes, while those with the power to prevent it dithered and denied it was happening, until over one million people were killed in less than 100 days. But Bishop James Rucyahana has more than just that story to share - he also shares a story of healing and restoration and reconciliation centered around the Gospel of Jesus. The miracle of Rwanda's ongoing recovery is as amazing as the genocide is horrible.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book written by Anglican Bishop, John Rucyahana details what led up to, occurred during the after math and the healing due to the Rwandan genocide, which occurred in the early and mid-90s In it about 1.1 million Rwandans, mainly those of Tutsi ethnicity were slaughtered. It is very eye-opening and the 1st half of the book is quite detailed about the atrocities committed. Like many Americans, I knew little of this except for what I saw in the movie, Hotel Rwanda.

[Stephen Hultquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genocide. Even the word is evil. This book tells the story of that evil. Where it came from, how men were compelled to kill others for no reason other than someone told them they must.

It's deeply impacting, of course. More than that, though, is the warning that hangs over it. Can it happen again? Yes. Can we keep it from happening? Yes. But only if we act.

[Kevin Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye opening story about the brutal genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994. Talks about what caused the genocide, the details of the government led slaughters, and the recovery.

Hard to believe that this could possibly happen, and it did. Also hard to believe that hardly anybody in the US knows about it.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought based on the title that it would talk more about the church role/forgiveness after the Rwandan genocide. It did but it was for the last 2 chapters it felt like. However, this was a good book to read to understand more of the Rwandan genocide and the prior history of genocides in Rwanda before the big one in the 90s that we are more familiar with.

[Azaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poem I wrote by pulling words from this novel.
1,117,000 innocent people
Massacred
In Rwanda, my homeland
Buried in pits
Dumped in rivers
Chopped in pieces
Besides details of this very sad story,
my goal with this book
is to tell
an amazing uplifting story.

[Marisa Oconnor · Rating 4 out of 5]

intense and emotional book. at times, I felt myself disconnecting because of the horrible things I was reading. but all totally worth the read. there is so much depth to Rwanda's genocide and equally so to its healing. not a light read but I highly recommend even to the feint of heart.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good perspective on time of crisis and transition in third world country. Redundant at times

[Todd]

Amazing story of reconciliation. I'm goling to Rwanda this year and this is prerequisite reading for me

[Kavita Ginty]

This book is riveting. It is sad how the whole world stood by while this happened but the reconciliation that is occuring in Rwanda is amazing.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Bishop Rucyahana in 2008. For me, it was like meeting Jesus. He hugged me.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually like these kind of books, but it was too boring for me to finish.