The Catholic bishops of Haiti are calling for an end to “all acts aimed at reducing Haiti to rubble and ashes”, and for renewed support from the international community to help find a solution to the ongoing crisis.
An already tumultuous situation in the Caribbean nation has boiled over in recent weeks, with gangs taking control of 80 per cent of the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and cutting off the supply of food, fuel and water, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry announcing his resignation from his post. The Haitian bishops’ statement was the first they’ve issued since Henry announced his resignation.
“In the face of the delirious atrocity to which our country is prey – homicides, settling of scores, witch-hunts, scenes of looting and other acts of violence – we express our deep concern and sorrow following Pope Francis, who is very close to the Haitian people,” the Haitian bishops said in a statement.
The latest reports indicate that early on 18 March, gangs attacked two neighbourhoods in the nation’s capital killing at least a dozen people. Haiti’s power company also announced that four substations were destroyed, leaving Port-au-Prince and a few surrounding areas without power.
The chief of the UN children’s agency UNICEF offered a dire assessment of the chaotic situation in Haiti, saying it was “almost like a scene out of ‘Mad Max,'” referring to a film that depicts a violent and lawless post-apocalyptic future.
The international community has struggled to coordinate getting a transitional government off the ground. The Haitian bishops, in their 18 March statement, encouraged the transitional government’s creation as an important step to begin to restore peace and security. The US State Department has already committed in excess of $100 million to help establish a transitional government, and for humanitarian aid.
“We encourage the efforts of all sectors and forces of the [country] to find a solution to the current crisis and restore peace and security for all the sons and daughters of the Haitian nation, by providing the country with a form of inclusive transitional government,” the Haitian bishops said.
In their statement, amongst whose signatories was Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, president of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH), the Haitian church leaders clarified that they have not inquired about there being someone to represent the Church on the presidential council, or any other government structure, “in order to maintain the moral distance that enables [CEH] to fulfil its prophetic mission.”
“Nevertheless, we hope that the current talks will lead to a genuine, inclusive and lasting patriotic agreement, in the interests of all the Haitian people, who so long for peace and well-being,” they said.
Until a government is established, the bishops called for Haitians to refrain from violence:
“While we await the establishment of the institutional bodies that will bring the transition to a successful conclusion, we invite all Haitians, without distinction, to refrain from fuelling violence, because violence begets violence, hatred begets more hatred and death begets more death,” the bishops said in their statement.
“Each destruction sets Haiti back or delays its march towards the progress we all desire. Every violent death committed against a human being is a wound in human flesh.”
The bishops closed by praying for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we invoke in Haiti under the name of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, come to our aid and may, through her intercession, God raise us up and deliver us from evil!” they said.
Photo: People ride past burning tires during a demonstration calling for the departure of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Port-au-Princ, Haiti, 6 February 2024. (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images.)
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