Home » News » Haiti on the brink: bishops issue a “cry of alarm” for peace

Haiti on the brink: bishops issue a “cry of alarm” for peace

In the face of rampant violence which is paralysing Port-au-Prince and isolating Haiti from the rest of the world, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Haiti, in a message received by ACN, calls on the government to act and appeals to every Haitian to work for peace and overcome hatred.

 “Peace is above all a gift of God, but it equally demands the efforts of all people of goodwill”, the bishops write
“Peace is above all a gift of God, but it equally demands the efforts of all people of goodwill”, the bishops write

In the face of the catastrophic situation and the continual deterioration of security in Haiti, on 15 November 2024 the Bishops’ Conference of Haiti issued a “cry of alarm” for peace, in the form of a letter addressed to the government, to civil society and to all people of goodwill.

“There is no real peace in the country,” decry the bishops, drawing a dark picture of the country: the capital Port-au-Prince is isolated, the schools are closed, activities paralysed. Even the Toussaint Louverture international airport is closed, “cutting off Haiti from the rest of the world”, the bishops charge. According to media reports, gangs carried out an armed attack on an aircraft on 11 November.

“Everyone is on their guard, we all feel threatened,” explains Mgr Max Leroys Mésidor, President of the Bishops’ Conference, to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). “For two years we have been operating a pastoral strategy of survival, but since 11 November, the violence has taken a serious turn.”

Bishop Max Leroy Mésidor
Bishop Max Leroy Mésidor

According to the United Nations, in a period of just a few days, more than 20,000 people in the Port-au-Prince region fled their homes and essential supply chains collapsed.

“We cannot hope to reap peace by sowing violence. Peace is above all a gift of God, but it equally demands the efforts of all people of goodwill,” write the bishops in their message. “We appeal to those who are in charge of governing the city to act with determination to re-establish security and guarantee the protection of citizens, in line with their primary mission of serving the common good.” And they continue: “We also invite members of the government, members of civil society and protagonists from all sides, armed or unarmed, to recognise that it is time to resolve this problem of ongoing violence. Something must be done.”

For years Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, has been going through a deep political, social and economic crisis. Armed gangs, which sow terror through their daily violence, are engaged in a fierce struggle to control territory and impose their domination. They have cut off the principal transport routes between the capital and the rest of the country, thereby destroying livelihoods and depriving the population of basic services. To date, it is estimated that almost 700,000 people have been displaced within the country.

In 2024, ACN supported the Church in Haiti through almost 70 projects. In particular, the foundation supported diocesan radio stations, solar panel projects and the training and subsistence of priests, nuns and catechists.

 

Don't miss the latest updates!

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli…

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21…

Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has…

In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts

While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly,…

From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign

ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to…

Church clings to life amid chaos in Gaza

Aid to the Church in Need echoes Pope Leo XIV’s…

List of News

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli envoys and Hamas, the hope for a beginning of peace is cautiously laying roots in the diocese of the Holy...

Fr Hugo Alaniz recounts a night of explosions and fear in Aleppo: “People are very afraid, we don’t know what is going to happen”

In the midst of a new wave of fighting, the Argentine priest describes hours of anguish in Aleppo. His parish has once again become a refuge for dozens of families....

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21 at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome for the worldwide presentation of the latest edition of the Report on...