Relationship Between the Catholic Church’s Reconciliation Programme and the Psycho-Spiritual Wellbeing of the Survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda Embedded Mixed Method Research.

Abstract

The Catholic Church’s reconciliation programme in Cyangugu Diocese refers to a set of coordinated pastorals, spiritual, psychosocial, and social interventions undertaken by Cyangugu Catholic Diocese after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The intent of this programme was to build broken relationships, encourage forgiveness, heal trauma, restore spiritual belief, and to rebuild the community destroyed by the Genocide. This study sought to examine the relationship between the Catholic Church’s Reconciliation Programme and the Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing of Survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi in Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda. Guided by Trauma Theory (Herman, 1992) and Psycho-Spiritual Theory (Egunjobi, 2024), the study employed an embedded mixed-methods design. A total of 274 respondents participated in the quantitative strand through random sampling, while 37 participants were purposively selected for qualitative inquiry. Quantitative Data were collected using the Adapted Rwanda Reconciliation Barometer and Psycho-Spiritual Wellbeing Scale. Qualitative Data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and Semi-structured Interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics aided by SPSS, version 23. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed statistically significant positive relationships between the Catholic Church’s Reconciliation Programme and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing of Survivors of the genocide in Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda (p < .01), with correlation coefficients ranging from moderate to moderately strong (r = .286 to .531). In line with the embedded mixed methods design, qualitative findings supported quantitative findings and indicated that the reconciliation programme implemented by the Catholic Church in Cyangugu Diocese has played a significant role in promoting psycho-spiritual well-being of survivors of the genocide. The qualitative findings identified key strategies for strengthening the programme, and recommends greater inclusion of youth and context-responsive strategies to sustain reconciliation outcomes across generations.