Haiti on the brink: bishops issue a “cry of alarm” for peace
26/11/2024, Author: Sina Hartert
In the face of rampant violence which is paralysing Port-au-Prince and isolating Haiti from the rest of the world, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Haiti, in a message received by ACN, calls on the government to act and appeals to every Haitian to work for peace and overcome hatred.
In the face of the catastrophic situation and the continual deterioration of security in Haiti, on 15 November 2024 the Bishops’ Conference of Haiti issued a “cry of alarm” for peace, in the form of a letter addressed to the government, to civil society and to all people of goodwill.
“There is no real peace in the country,” decry the bishops, drawing a dark picture of the country: the capital Port-au-Prince is isolated, the schools are closed, activities paralysed. Even the Toussaint Louverture international airport is closed, “cutting off Haiti from the rest of the world”, the bishops charge. According to media reports, gangs carried out an armed attack on an aircraft on 11 November.
“Everyone is on their guard, we all feel threatened,” explains Mgr Max Leroys Mésidor, President of the Bishops’ Conference, to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). “For two years we have been operating a pastoral strategy of survival, but since 11 November, the violence has taken a serious turn.”
Archbishop Max Leroy Mésidor of Port-au-Prince. Credit: Salesian priests of Haiti
According to the United Nations, in a period of just a few days, more than 20,000 people in the Port-au-Prince region fled their homes and essential supply chains collapsed.
“We cannot hope to reap peace by sowing violence. Peace is above all a gift of God, but it equally demands the efforts of all people of goodwill,” write the bishops in their message. “We appeal to those who are in charge of governing the city to act with determination to re-establish security and guarantee the protection of citizens, in line with their primary mission of serving the common good.” And they continue: “We also invite members of the government, members of civil society and protagonists from all sides, armed or unarmed, to recognise that it is time to resolve this problem of ongoing violence. Something must be done.”
For years Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, has been going through a deep political, social and economic crisis. Armed gangs, which sow terror through their daily violence, are engaged in a fierce struggle to control territory and impose their domination. They have cut off the principal transport routes between the capital and the rest of the country, thereby destroying livelihoods and depriving the population of basic services. To date, it is estimated that almost 700,000 people have been displaced within the country.
In 2024, ACN supported the Church in Haiti through almost 70 projects. In particular, the foundation supported diocesan radio stations, solar panel projects and the training and subsistence of priests, nuns and catechists.
A priest celebrating Holy Mass in Haiti - one of the 1,500 ordinary Mass intentions, 310 Triduae and 30 Novenae given to 68 Montfortian missionaries.