Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Nicholas de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, has called on authorities to take steps towards dialogue, to prevent worsening of the situation between the people of the Dominican Republic and those of Haiti, as bloodshed continues in the community of Neiba, the Province of Baoruco.
Violence between these two nationalities broke out on November 3, and led to various attacks over the course of the week in Neiba, following the murder of a man from the Dominican Republic at the hands of a Haitian who claims that the man was trying to rob his motorcycle. The violence later spread to Dajabon and Guayubin. The situation has led to the deportation of over 500 Haitians, over 100 of them being minors. The first eruptions of violence led to four deaths, more than a dozen wounded (some gravely), the burning of homes, and the deployment of military forces and policemen to protect the Haitians living in the area.
In response to these events, various Bishops have spoken out against the violence, including Archbishop Ramon Benito de la Rosa y Carpio of Santiago, Emeritus Bishop Antonio Flores Santana, and Bishop Diomedes Espinal of Mao-Monte Cristi.
The Archbishop of Santiago mentioned the fact that under no circumstances should we accept conflicts between these two communities, nor view the situation as a racial issue. He also explained that revenge should never be permitted, because it is neither human nor Christian. The Archbishop says that the problems should be resolved with equality, aware of the fact that “we are all human beings and equal in God's eyes and that both sides should be treated in the same manner.”
The Bishop of Mao-Monte Cristi affirmed that the violence is cause for concern and called for an end to these confrontations, which do no good.
The National Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Fr. Luis Rosario, affirmed that between the two countries there is a kind of “forced marriage” and that, therefore, the authorities in both countries should find agreements to avoid further violence that could cost the lives of their people. Fr. Rosario also asked that the Secretary of Internal Affairs and Police resist pressures to reopen the import of firearms. He said that the firearms trade is worse than prostitution in the sense that it leads to the direct death of human beings. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/11/2008)
