At the invitation of South Africa's Ambassador to Rwanda, His Excellency Mr. Ezra Sigwela, the South African Council of Churches has organized an interfaith delegation of religious leaders to discuss with their counterparts in Rwanda the role of faith communities in facilitating national reconciliation.

The delegation will depart for Rwanda on Wednesday, 14 December and will return on Saturday, 17 December. Their visit will coincide with Day of Reconciliation celebrations being organized in Kigali by the South African Embassy on 16 December.

Bishop Ivan Abrahams, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and Chair of the Church Leaders' Forum, will lead the delegation. Other members of the delegation will include:

• The Rt. Revd. Jo Seoka, Anglican Bishop of Pretoria;
• The Revd. Vuyani Vellem, General Secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa;
• Bishop P.Z. Mvemve, Roman Catholic Bishop of Klerksdorp;
• The Revd. Dr. Molefe Tsele, General Secretary of the SACC;
• Imam E.I. Bham, Muslim Moulana; and
• The Revd. Canon Luke Pato, Director of the SACC's Proclaiming Reconciliation Programme and co-ordinator of the delegation.

In his letter of invitation, Ambassador Sigwela wrote of the crucial role that religious leaders could play in promoting national unity and reconciliation. "For most of the time the churches have been silent and only lately one hears faint voices about the situation," the Ambassador wrote. "We have therefore invited Rwandan church leaders as our priority guests on that day [16 December]. This is because of our recognition of the God-appointed role of the church on the question of reconciliation."

In addition to meeting with their Rwandese counterparts, the South African religious leaders will also visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, tour Camp Kigali and meet with government ministers and Rwanda's Unity and Reconciliation Commission.

"Unfortunately, religious leaders have not always been consistent advocates of peace and reconciliation, either in South Africa or in Rwanda," said Canon Pato. "Individual church leaders have been implicated in Rwanda's genocide."

"In spite of this - or perhaps because of this - it remains essential for Christian and Muslim leaders to be actively involved in rebuilding the nation and restoring security and dignity to all of Rwanda's people," Canon Pato observed. "We hope that South Africa's experiences can be a resource in this process, but also that we can learn from our sisters and brothers in Rwanda."

For more information contact: Rev. Luke Pato, 083 357 3961