Pastors Learn About Gacaca Courts

RWANDA 050429-1 April 29, 2005

[L'Eglise Episcopal au Rwanda - Rwanda] The Episcopal pastors of Rwanda yesterday started a three-day seminar aimed at opening their eyes and mouths to fulfill God's ministry of reconciling their flocks.

The seminar is also to give them knowledge on Gacaca courts. ''Gacaca'' refers to traditional courts used by the Rwandan community before the colonial era to judge cases. The cases could be handled by elders without any corruption.

Now the government of Rwanda has come up with a resolution to use Gacaca in order to speed up genocide cases. Under this, the truth is being told of who attacked others -- why, where and when. Gacaca is better than modern tribunals.

In another development, similar information on Gacaca is being taught to other church leaders in the region.