Remembering the past, building hope for the future
A visit to Rwanda has brought Irish bishops face to face with a country whose history carries profound sorrow, but whose people continue to show courage and determination.
Bishop Martin Hayes is visiting Rwanda with fellow Irish bishops Niall Coll of Raphoe, Fintan Monahan of Killaloe and Paul Dempsey (Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin), alongside Trócaire CEO Seán Farrell. Their journey is part of Trócaire’s 2026 Lenten campaign, which places Rwanda at its centre and highlights challenges facing women and families, particularly climate change. The delegation is seeing how Irish generosity supports local partners and communities working towards resilient futures.
On Sunday, the Feast of All Saints, the group visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The memorial honours the victims of the 1994 genocide, in which approximately 800,000 people were killed. For Bishop Hayes, the visit was deeply moving. It offered a solemn opportunity to remember those who died and reflect on the historical, political and religious factors that helped lead to such terrible violence.
Remembering the past is essential, but the visit also revealed the importance of supporting Rwanda’s journey towards healing and reconciliation. The delegation learned about Ibuka, an organisation supported by Trócaire that preserves the memory of genocide victims while promoting peace, reconciliation and education among young people. Its work helps ensure that remembrance becomes a foundation for understanding, rather than renewed division.
The wider visit also shines a light on Trócaire’s work with local organisations supporting women and families. In Rwanda, climate pressures can deepen poverty and make daily life especially difficult for women responsible for their households. Trócaire’s partners help women strengthen livelihoods, build resilience, access support and participate in decisions affecting their communities. These programmes are rooted in dignity, local leadership and the belief that lasting change is built with people, not imposed upon them.
The bishops’ visit is an act of solidarity and a learning journey. By listening to communities and witnessing projects firsthand, they can bring their experiences back to Ireland, helping parishes and supporters understand the impact of their generosity.
As the Church remembers the saints and all who have gone before us, Bishop Hayes invites people to pray for the victims of the genocide and for all who continue to work for peace. May their memory inspire justice, compassion and a future in which every person can live with dignity, hope and lasting mutual understanding.
To follow along with the journey, please visit the Diocese of Kilmore Facebook HERE
