Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) – The Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, told Agenzia Fides of his meeting with the Bishops of the Dominican Republic (DR) and with the Bishops of Haiti, which took place just several days ago to express genuine solidarity and commitment to continue helping the people of Haiti after the earthquake of January 12.
On Friday, January 29, the Cardinal Archbishop of Santo Domingo and President of the bishops' Conference of the Dominican Republic, along with five other Bishops and the Rector of the Catholic university "Mater et Magistra," went to meet with Haitian bishops to express their condolences and solidarity.
Their plane arrived at 8:15am. "I welcomed them at the airport - says Archbishop Auza - then I accompanied them to the headquarters of the Haitian Bishops' Conference (CEH), and at approximately 9:10, the meeting began. The President of the CEH, Archbishop Louis Kebreau, SDB of Cap-Haitien took the floor. Then, the Cardinal of Santo Domingo gave a formal speech. Shortly afterwards, he made the delivery of a check for $100,000 USD, to help the Church of the neighboring country."
Some Haitian Bishops offered their comments. In the exchange of ideas, all the Bishops of the DR said they would ensure continued aid with food and other items, and help in the reconstruction of the country. The Bishops of the Dominican Republic showed great interest on the question of the future arrangement of the 240 seminarians survivors (out of 256), some seriously injured, as the two major seminaries (philosophy and theology) were both destroyed.
After the meeting, there was a visit to the tomb of the late Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, His Excellency Joseph Serge Miot. During this visit, we said a prayer together.
The Apostolic Nuncio then accompanied the guests to see the devastated part of Port-au-Prince, especially the institutional headquarters and state government, and they also saw the remains of the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Residence. The comment of the Bishops was unanimous: "The destruction has been utterly complete." It was a visit of just over five hours. The plane left to return to Santo Domingo at 2pm.
Agenzia Fides once again wishes to thank the Apostolic Nuncio for this testimony from Port-au-Prince.
(CE) (Agenzia Fides 02/02/2010)
