Sun. Oct. 3, 2010 (Christine Broesamle)

Christine Broesamle, launching from Jeremiah 1, drew a large number of parallels between the ancient kingdom of Judah beset on all sides and abandoned by God, and the people of Rwanda of not much more than a decade ago. The slaughter in Rwanda, so thoroughly documented at the time, has progressed little in reconciliation until recently, when finally, returning refugees from the Congo were met not with calls for retribution, but reconciliation. The Rwandese were an oral culture, and this meant than lies held equal weight and power as did truth. This did peaceable neighbours turn into killers within a matter of days or even hours, between clans and groups between whom there is no genetic or cultural difference. Christine showed us a slice of the life and thinking of the people there as they struggle to come to grips not with “an eye for an eye” theology, but the theology of Christ’s forgiveness. Evangelicals are in the forefront of this movement, and Christine served with them until her calling to become a Catholic in 2008. At this time, the importance of bringing the message of reconciliation to the large Catholic majority which had stayed aloof from the process. Through amazing coincidences that Christine attributes directly to God’s leading, the way was opened for her to bring that message to the Catholics at the highest levels of government and church. A lively discussion fleshed out the details of her mission. [AP] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.