Human Dignity and Imago Dei in Rwandan Culture: Anthropological Study and Catholic Social Teaching

Abstract: This study explores the intersection between Catholic Social Teaching (CST) on human dignity and the Imago Dei with traditional Rwandan cultural values, aiming to assess how these concepts are understood and lived by theology students at the Catholic University of Rwanda (CUR). The central objective is to evaluate students' perceptions of human dignity, moral leadership, and community values through the lens of both CST and Rwandan anthropology. The hypothesis is that there is a strong complementarity between CST principles and Rwandan cultural values, which can serve as a foundation for ethical leadership and social justice in Rwanda. The study employed a qualitative-quantitative approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 39 theology students. The questionnaire included closed and open-ended questions designed to capture students’ understanding of human dignity, their view on the role of families and elders, and their perception of the Church's contribution to justice and reconciliation. Preliminary results reveal the following: 92% of students affirmed that human dignity is rooted in the Imago Dei and is compatible with Rwandan communal identity (ubuntu). 87% recognized the family and elders as primary agents of moral formation. 90% acknowledged the Church’s critical role in promoting justice and healing societal wounds. Furthermore, 85% agreed that integrating CST and Rwandan cultural values strengthens moral leadership and peacebuilding. The findings show that students perceive a strong synergy between theological and cultural approaches to human dignity, offering a rich foundation for fostering ethical responsibility and inclusive development in Rwandan society.