Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) -Pope John Paul II has sent Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum to Haiti and the Dominican Republic where at least 2,000 people perished and thousands were left homeless in recent floods. In Haiti the calamity has struck the poorest country in Latin America.
According to a statement issued by the Pontifical Council Co r Unum, from 19 to 22 June the agenda of Archbishop Cordes will include a meeting in Santo Domingo with the country’s bishops with whom he will visit the affected areas of Jimani and Monte Plata where he will preside a special Mass for the victims. He will also meet local Caritas workers and other Catholic organisations working in this emergency. It is estimated that in Jimani alone 900 homes have been destroyed.
From 22 to 25 June the President di "Cor Unum" will be in Haiti, where he will meet the Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religions Yvon Siméon. In Jacmel cathedral he will celebrate Mass for those killed in the disaster. He will visit the Citè Soleil slum and two other areas affected by the floods, Fonds Verettes and Mapou. Before returning to Rome in Port-au-Prince he will meet the main Catholic aid agencies to discuss priorities for rebuilding. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2004 - Righe 15; Parole 222)
