DECLARATION ON ARREST OF RWANDAN BISHOP

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls this morning made the following declaration:

"It was with great pain and sorrow that the Holy See learned the news of the arrest yesterday, Wednesday April 14, 1999 at the gates of Kigali, of Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, Rwanda.

"The prelate was due to take part in a meeting of bishops which was called following the declarations made by the president of the Republic of Rwanda, Pasteur Bizimungu, who on the occasion of the celebration of the 'fifth anniversary of the genocide', held last April 7, had publicly accused the local Church, and in particular, Bishop Misago, of complicity in known ethnic crimes.

"In a communique made public yesterday, the same Rwandan episcopal conference stated that, as he has done in the past, Bishop Misago will respond to the court so that the truth of the facts may be established.

"The arrest of a bishop is an extremely serious act which wounds not only the Church in Rwanda but the entire Catholic Church.

"Relations between the Republic of Rwanda and the Holy are deeply troubled by this.

"It is hoped that the bishop be assured of all legal guarantees in a climate of respect for persons and facts, and that his innocence might be rapidly proven."

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