“Hearken to the voice of the Lord who beckons you, and let not your hearts be hardened.” With these profound words drawn from the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Conférence épiscopale d’Haïti (CEH), comprising all Haitian bishops, delivered their message to the nation through a declaration released in Port-au-Prince on November 15, 2024.
In this two-page statement, released on the feast day of Saint Albert the Great, distinguished bishop and Doctor of the Church, the Catholic leaders of Haiti conveyed their profound apprehension regarding the political turbulence and mounting insecurity devastating the nation.
They highlight the intensification of violent incidents across numerous regions. “We raise our voices once more to beseech peace and unity within our nation,” proclaim the church representatives.
They stress that their prophetic role as bishops necessitates their denunciation of the violence plaguing the country and inflicting tremendous suffering. These actions, they emphasize, claim numerous innocent lives and compel countless families to abandon their residences. “Many of our citizens are forced to relocate, leaving their homes behind,” lament these servants of the Lord.
Fundamental rights violated
The Catholic bishops emphasize that these circumstances are breeding profound anxiety among the populace. “Currently, many of our brothers and sisters exist in perpetual fear. They are stripped of their basic rights, particularly their right to security, liberty, and movement,” they observe with deep concern.
They indicate that this insecurity has isolated Haiti from the global community. The capital lies paralyzed, educational institutions remain shuttered, and economic activities have ground to a halt, rendering life unbearable for most citizens.
An intolerable situation
The religious leaders deem it essential to unequivocally reject this dire situation. In their assessment, these circumstances stem from actions that fundamentally contradict divine intention and human dignity. This continuing cycle of violence only intensifies the hardships of a population already struggling with severe economic and social challenges.
“In the face of these humanitarian tragedies, we cannot remain passive observers,” they assert firmly. They emphasize strongly that violence cannot serve as a pathway to peace or a resolution to current challenges. “Peace can never be born from violence,” they maintain, while reaffirming peace as a divine blessing requiring active participation from all well-intentioned individuals. This perspective is anchored in the teachings of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.
A call to responsibility
The bishops make a powerful appeal to Haiti’s political leadership, pressing them to take decisive measures to restore public order, ensure security, and guarantee effective citizen protection. They underscore the pressing need to reestablish governmental authority and advance national reconciliation.
They also reach out to all stakeholders in the crisis, including both armed and non-armed actors, as well as civil society representatives, urging them to acknowledge that the present circumstances cannot persist. “It is crucial to establish a governance framework that can effectively curtail this pervasive violence,” they emphasize.
The bishops emphasize that the destiny of Haiti’s people hangs in the balance, necessitating substantial compromises to achieve a sustainable resolution to the crisis. In their perspective, every Haitian citizen must contribute to peace-building efforts, abandoning all sentiments of animosity, retribution, or discord.
Encouragement for the faithful
The bishops exhort the Christian community to maintain their optimism. “Let your divine faith guide you in collaborative efforts to construct a future founded on justice, dignity, and the safeguarding of all lives,” they convey to the believers.
They also express their heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost loved ones in these tragic events, and to those who have been injured or displaced. They commit to keeping the victims in their prayers and beseech divine grace to provide them strength and solace.
A hopeful conclusion
“Maintain unwavering hope, persist in prayer, and stay united in God,” the message concludes. The distinguished Church leaders, including Monseigneur Max Leroy Mésidor, Metropolitan Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and CEH President, Monseigneur Désinord Jean, Bishop of Hinche, Monseigneur Joseph Gontrand Décoste, Bishop of Jérémie, and Cardinal Chibly Langlois, Bishop of Les Cayes, urge all Haitians to work toward a promising future. “May God’s blessings be upon Haiti,” they conclude.