funeral pictures by OFM Communications Office

The funeral of Fr Vjeko Curic, ofm was held on Tuesday and was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Mons. Janusz Juliusz. The whole Episcopal Conference of Rwanda participated together with 136 concelebrating priests. There were also representatives from among the male and female religious present in Rwanda together with about thirty friars minor. The Minister General Giacomo Bini and the General Definitor for Africa, Fr Peter Williams joined in the funeral rites.

The funeral procession taking the remains of Fr. Vjeko to the Parish Church of Kivumu

The local civil authorities were present in the person of the Prime Minister of Rwanda and other members of the Government. They were surrounded by a crowd of faith-filled Catholic Christians. The presence of Christians from other denominations and members of the Jewish and Islamic religions was also significant. Notwithstanding the great number of people and their diversity, an atmosphere of intimate prayer and unity pervaded throughout.

The Friars and priests blessing the remains of Fr. Vjeko immediately prior to burial next to the altar in the parish Church

At Kivumu, in the Diocese of Kabgayi, the Christians of that parish wanted to say goodbye with a "muraleho" to their brother parish priest who had lived with them uninterruptedly for fifteen years.

The bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda together with the friars around Fr. Vjeko

These same members of the parish had insisted that the bishop celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial in their parish. When it became apparent that the church was too small to contain the gathering of thousands who thronged to say goodbye to Fr. Vjeko for the last time, the Mass was celebrated in the open air. In a letter to the bishop, these same parishioners asked that Fr. Vjeko be buried in their church as a tribute to his sacrifice. In fact, his remains are buried close to the altar upon which he celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass so many times.

The Minister General Fr Giacomo Bini addressing the assembly in front of the Parish Church of Kivumu

At the end of the celebration, the Minister General addressed the assembly with these words:

"No one takes [my life] from me; I lay it down of my own free will..."
(Jn 10, 17b-18a)

Two years ago, when Fr. Vjeko, miraculously escaped an attempt on his life, he continued to say to his brethren: "I came to Rwanda to serve these people, I have remained with them during the war and I will remain till the end, accepting the risks that the same people faced and are still facing".

Against the advice of many, Vjeko did not abandon his Christians. Some months ago he repeated to a friar-friend: "those whom I saved will kill me". Notwithstanding his violent death which prematurely took him from us at 41 years of age, Vjeko freely offered his life for the reconciliation of this country. This was a choice he made with lucidity, generosity and a spirit of faith. He is not the first in the long history of the Franciscan family: Saint Francis was filled with joy when he heard that five of his friars were killed in Morocco and said: "Now I know that I truly have five Friars Minor."

For the Christian and particularly for the missionary, life is never taken away but always donated, like the seed which is sown and dies to produce its fruit. The sacrifice of Vjeko will surely bring fruit: Vjeko will remain always in Rwanda particularly with his Christians of Kivumu.

A group of Franciscans who came from Burundi, Rwanda, USA, Canada, Bosnia, Italy, Spain, Madagascar, Germany and Belgium

In the name of all the Franciscan family I wish to heartily greet all the people of Rwanda: let Christ reconcile you! Let the Lord give you his peace, that peace and reconciliation for which Vjeko has given his life! Today you see here a group of Franciscans who came from Burundi, Rwanda, USA, Canada, Bosnia, Italy, Spain, Madagascar, Germany and Belgium. With our eight Centuries of experience and with our witness today we want to tell you that it is possible to live together as brothers, that it is possible to accept the cultural or ethnic diversity and to live this diversity as a means of reconciliation! Peace is never built by force, violence or vengeance but only by pardon, dialogue and the giving of self. Dear Rwandese brothers and sisters, may the Lord finally give you his peace: "amahoro n'amahirwe".

The Prime Minister of Rwanda addressing the congregation

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More information:
Opening Page - Initial Newsflash Profile & Events - Profile & Events (Italian)
2 letters by Vjeko - Articles from 1994 - More Articles
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L'Osservatore Romano - Reuters - BBC
Televideo Rai - Catholic Press Zagreb

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