Catholic Church in Haiti Holds a Day of Prayer for the Release of 6 Kidnapped Nuns as Announced by Archbishop Max Leroys Mesidor
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Six nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters of Sainte-Anne were abducted on a minibus in the capital Haiti on January 19th. Also kidnapped were the driver and another passenger, the niece of one of the nuns, who was reportedly released late on January 22nd in the evening with no ransom.
In a press statement issued on January 22nd, Archbishop Max Leroys Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, president of the Bishops' Conference of Haiti, and Father Morachel Bonhomme, president of the Haitian Conference of Religious, expressed the Church’s condemnation of the kidnapping. Hostage-taking for ransom has become very common in the country.
300 gangs are operating in Haiti however, none have claimed responsibility for the abduction, though local media allege that a ransom of 3 million dollars has been demanded.
The Church leaders call for the unconditional release of the nuns and of all the hostages held captive.
“In the name of God, whom you should fear, stop these despicable and criminal practices which defile this sacred land that God has given us!” they said.
The statement also urged the government to prevent gang violence, saying Haitians are tired of the "reign of terror" caused by armed groups.
Gangs have grown more powerful in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as other areas in the country.
Gangs have been blamed for nearly 2,500 kidnapings in 2023, according to UN sources , more than 80% up from the previous year.
“On many occasions, the Church has denounced the silence (of the authorities), which is similar to an attitude of contempt for people’s suffering," the Bishops stated. “It is time to take the necessary measures to eradicate the scourge of kidnapping and the violence of armed groups which have plunged the country into an increasingly confused and chaotic situation.”
Day of prayer on January 24
Archbishop Mesidor and Fr. Bonhomme then announced that they would devote January 24th to prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration for Haiti.
They invited all priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful to organize “a chain of incessant prayer for the release of the kidnapped people and their families” in their parishes.
Haiti is now awaiting the deployment of a foreign armed force led by Kenya to help quell gang violence that was approved by the UN Security Council in October last year.
On Sunday, Pope Francis also pleaded for the release of the six nuns during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“In the name of God, whom you should fear, stop these despicable and criminal practices which defile this sacred land that God has given us!” they said.
The statement also urged the government to prevent gang violence, saying Haitians are tired of the "reign of terror" caused by armed groups.
Gangs have grown more powerful in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as other areas in the country.
Gangs have been blamed for nearly 2,500 kidnapings in 2023, according to UN sources , more than 80% up from the previous year.
“On many occasions, the Church has denounced the silence (of the authorities), which is similar to an attitude of contempt for people’s suffering," the Bishops stated. “It is time to take the necessary measures to eradicate the scourge of kidnapping and the violence of armed groups which have plunged the country into an increasingly confused and chaotic situation.”
Day of prayer on January 24
Archbishop Mesidor and Fr. Bonhomme then announced that they would devote January 24th to prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration for Haiti.
They invited all priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful to organize “a chain of incessant prayer for the release of the kidnapped people and their families” in their parishes.
Haiti is now awaiting the deployment of a foreign armed force led by Kenya to help quell gang violence that was approved by the UN Security Council in October last year.
On Sunday, Pope Francis also pleaded for the release of the six nuns during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
Sources: Vatican News and https://www.haiti-reference.info/pages/2024/01/22/note-de-larchidiocese-de-port-au-prince-et-de-la-conference-haitienne-des-religieux/
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