AMERICA/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Papal Envoy Archbishop Cordes, concludes his visit to Hispaniola: “I bring you the Pope’s blessing and the assurance that you are in his prayers".

Jimaní (Fides Service) - “Archbishop Cordes came on behalf of the Pope to see the situation after the floods, to see if the aid had arrived and how it was distributed" Father Luis Rosario Peña, head of youth pastoral in Santo Domingo Archdiocese told Fides. Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, arrived in the Dominican Republic on 19 June and he leaves today 22 June for Haiti. The Archbishop came as the Pope’s envoy to show his concern for the flood victims and in particular those in the town of Jimaní seriously damaged on May 24 when the River Blanco burst its banks as a result of floods.
"Archbishop Cordes was received at Punta Canuta airport by the Secretary General of the Dominican Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Benito Angeles" Father Luis told Fides. "He visited Jimaní and surrounding area accompanied by the Bishop of Barahona, Bishop Rafael Felipe, Ordinary of the area. During a Mass celebrated for the repose of the souls of the flood at San José parish church, Archbishop Cordes said he brought the Holy Father’s spiritual encouragement: ‘The Pope asked me to give you his Blessing and to assure you that you are in his prayers. The Pope is always especially concerned for people who are suffering.”
On June 21 Archbishop Cordes visited Arenosa in the diocese of San Francisco di Macorís, and Monteplata in the archdiocese of Santo Domingo. The programme included a visits to Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo and the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Timothy Broglio. Today Archbishop Cordes will attend a media conference at the Nunciature.
Today Archbishop Cordes will go to Haiti for a four-day visit during which he will go to the flood stricken areas of Mapou and Fonds-Verettes. He will meet Haiti’s Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and the Chancellor Yvon Simeón and preside a Mass for the flood victims in Jacmel Cathedral. Before returning to Rome, Archbishop Cordes will visit one of the poorest districts of the Haitian capital Citai Soleil.
Father Luis Rosario told Fides that the media in Dominican Republic “gave ample space to the visit, underlining that the Archbishop came to show the country, the Pope love for this country which he has visited three times". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2004; Righe 31; Parole 424)