Priest says forgiveness should take precedence over justice in Uganda

Published: 2008-01-08

KITGUM, Uganda (CNS) -- As the 20-year war in northern Uganda begins to wind down, religious leaders are insisting that forgiveness take precedence over justice and are calling for the international community to back off from legal proceedings against the leader of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army. "We're asking the international community to reconsider the ICC (International Criminal Court) stand, on the basis of forgiveness, for the sake of peace. The entire Acholi population has said, 'Let us forgive for the sake of peace,'" said Father Matthew Ojara, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kitgum and a member of the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative, an interfaith peace coalition. Joseph Kony and four other rebel leaders were indicted in 2005 by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. They were charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, rape, sexual slavery and the enlisting of children as combatants. The court ordered their arrest by area governments, but Kony has said he will not surrender unless he is granted immunity from prosecution.

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