By: Sari Cureton
April 19, 2021
The Rwandan genocide tragically represents humanity’s capacity for violence among one another. It also highlights the shortcomings of the international community's dedication to protecting the innocent, including how the institutions that purport to value human life can be corrupted. The Catholic Church is one such institution. The Church not only failed to protect human life but witnessed its members playing an active role in the killing of the Tutsi people. This project seeks to answer the three core questions: What was the role of the Catholic Church in the Rwandan genocide? How has its role affected the Church's post-genocide reconciliation efforts? What can be learned from this case about the influence of religious institutions in both conflict and conflict resolution?
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Sari Cureton (SFS‘21) is an undergraduate student in the School of Foreign Service majoring in international politics with a concentration in international law. She is also earning minors in Spanish, as well as religion, ethics, and world affairs (REWA). The Problem of God course inspired Cureton to pursue her REWA minor. The class also helped her discover an interest in religious studies, especially the role that religion plays in the arena of international politics.
