27th anniversary of the death of Br. Vjeko Ćurić

On 1st February 2025, the friars and Christians from the Autonomous Custody of Our Lady of Kibeho in Burundi-Rwanda came together at Kivumu Parish in Rwanda to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the death of Br. Vjeko Ćurić, who was killed on 31st January 1998 in Kigali. Ten people from the “Holy Cross” Province of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Entity of origin of Br. Vjeko, were also present.

Custos Br. Theoneste Twahirwa shared a memory of the Franciscan missionary: “Reading the chronicles preserved in the records of the fraternity, we learn that in 1982, as soon as Br. Vjeko heard about the new initiatives of the then Minister General Br. John Vaughn to start a new Franciscan presence in Africa, he wished to be part of the first volunteers to come, to such an extent that he had to ask exceptional permission to complete his theological studies as soon as possible to come to Rwanda. For that reason, he arrived on 28th August 1983, only six months from the arrival of Br. Giacomo Bini and Br. Raul”.

The story of Br. Vjeko is truly incredible and almost 30 years later he has much to teach everyone. In Rwanda, in Kivumu, a school bears his name (“Father Vjeko Center”) and he is remembered as “the apostle who distinguished himself among the Rwandans” or as “the African Oskar Schindler” for his tireless saving work during the genocide of 1994.

Arriving in Rwanda in August 1983, in the first moments he experienced the difficulties of the local language, so much so that he preferred not to speak for fear of mispronouncing the words, but he paid great attention to people’s conversation. By this attentive method, he was able to penetrate the genius of the Rwandan language and was soon able to communicate with all categories of people, so much so that it arose the doubt that he was not a white-skinned Rwandan.
He was a good priest who knew every single parishioner by name, he was interested in their daily life, he fought so that no one was lost or lacked consolation: he was truly the “good shepherd” who takes care of the sheep and never lets them die of hunger.

During the tragic events that Rwanda experienced in 1994, Br. Vjeko decided to stay and showed extraordinary love and courage. He was a fearless fighter in protecting the innocents from the hands of assassins. He faced murderers at the barriers, hid pursued people in the bushes, suffered hunger on the Gitarama-Bujumbura Road to get something to eat for the refugees, without forgetting that under the truck he hid those who had just escaped the spears and machetes.
In view of reconciliation, he tried to be a bridge between the factions fighting for power; at the last minute he saved Msgr. Wenceslas Karibushi, who was about to be slaughtered. He was a compassionate good Samaritan: instead of avoiding this or that act so as not to compromise himself, he said to himself: “If I don’t do it, what will become of them?”.

No one will forget his help to widows and orphans: he taught them to help each other and to get by in associations, he built houses for the homeless, he provided food for the hungry, he came to the aid of the unfortunate and of people under the influence of prison or sin. He knew how to maintain good relationships with priests and religious, he knew how to resolve disputes through negotiation. He did several things at the same time, he quickly found solutions and put them into practice and those who saw him at work wondered if this Franciscan had only one head like all the others. His actions were accompanied by a deep sense of humor: he knew how to forget an offense suffered and to forgive, he was patient, sincere, courageous and far-sighted. He was a Franciscan who loved and gave himself to the poor, he was a true apostle determined to bring the Good News to prisoners of all categories. 

He was killed in unclear circumstances on January 31, 1998, in Kigali; he was 40 years old. 
We continue to pray that the Lord may grant him the grace to be counted among His blessed into the Church and into His kingdom.

With the contribution of Br. Daicolas Nsabimana, Custodial Secretary of the Custody of Our Lady of Kibeho

[The black and white photo dates to the day of the first profession of Br. Vjeko (the first on the left)]