At Book Launch Ceremony, Bishop Vincent Harolimana Unveils the Mystery of Peace and Faith

On June 4, 2024, at INES-Ruhengeri, a ceremony was held to publish a 400-page book by Father Dr. Cassien Mulindahabi, a priest in the Ruhengeri Diocese and one of the founders of INES-Ruhengeri. The event was led by Father Dr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, the Vice-Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri. The guest of honor was His Lordship Vincent Harolimana, the Bishop of Ruhengeri Diocese, and the Legal Representative and Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri.

Father Dr. Cassien Mulindahabi

The book, titled "Pour une éthique de la Fraternité et de la solidarité. Retour aux sources: Magistère Social de l’Eglise, de Léon XIII à Pie XII," addresses the importance of peace and justice. Father Mulindahabi argues that peace cannot exist without justice and that injustice stems from egoism. He identifies private property, salaries, and work as areas where egoism manifests, stating that the desire to amass wealth and pay unfair wages contributes to the lack of justice.

The preface of the book was written by Bishop Vincent Harolimana. He highlights that the Catholic Church's position on social issues is detailed in pontifical documents, which can be challenging to interpret. This book aims to clarify the leadership of various Popes, from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Pius XII, particularly regarding their official documents. The period of their pontificates was marked by the Industrial Revolution, a time of significant conflict and upheaval, threatening peace and justice. Understanding the Church's stance on these matters is crucial, making this book a valuable resource for intellectuals and pastoral ministers.

During the ceremony, Bishop Harolimana emphasized that the book significantly contributes to the motto of INES-Ruhengeri: Scientia et Lux (Science and Light). He thanked the participants of the book fair for their willingness to contribute, reiterating that peace cannot exist without justice. He further elaborated that peace is not merely the absence of war but also involves safeguarding people's property, a theme emphasized in the book.

Bishop Vincent Harolimana of Ruhengeri Diocese is the one who wrote the preface

In response to questions about homosexuality and global injustice, Bishop Harolimana explained that the Popes discussed in the book addressed these issues in their time. He emphasized the Church's prophetic voice, which calls on people to value life as a divine gift and to respect God's will in creation.

The book presented at the main hall of INES-Ruhengeri is the second volume of Father Mulindahabi's work on the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. It is titled "Pour une éthique de la Fraternité et de la solidarité. Retour aux sources: Magistère Social de l'Eglise, de Léon XIII à Pie XII." The first volume, presented on August 27, 2021, was titled "Plus d'un siècle du Social Discourse de l'Eglise."

The ceremony was attended by over one hundred participants, including priests, directors, deans of faculties, heads of departments, and law students marking it as a significant scientific gathering.