Agenzia Fides

Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, has asked the authorities of Haiti to inform about what is really happening in the country, because any major event or fact in the neighboring country, affects the population of the Dominican Republic. Recently, in fact, many doubts have been raised on post-earthquake reconstruction and the equitable distribution of funds, reports that were then amplified by the media. "It is important to know what is really happening, because the news is unclear or without foundation, and it would be a good thing to know what the real problems are" the Cardinal said in the context of the meeting which began on Monday evening, March 12, between the Bishops’ Conferences of the two countries of the island. On the agenda of the Bishops of the Dominican Republic and of Haiti, there are several issues to be discussed today, including the presence of Haitian citizens in the country (see Fides 07/03/2012).
In the note sent to Fides we read the Cardinal’s words: "It is a situation which not only concerns the two Bishops’ conferences, but which now also becomes a concern". The Cardinal said that "Haiti is in a very difficult situation" and the Bishops have made the effort to come and meet with the Dominican Pastors, "to discuss the internal situation that Haiti lives and propose actions that can help people of both nations, especially the poorest and most vulnerable".
Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez explained that both the Church and the Dominican government have already sent aid to Haiti, and are waiting to send a second contribution to the Bishops of that nation. The meeting between the two Episcopal Conferences is nothing new. The initial program was a two-day meeting, but the Bishops of Haiti have asked to reduce it to a single day, in order to go back to their country as soon as possible. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2012)