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Apostolic Nuncio of Haiti "We Lack Everything"

ACN News
First published 2010-01-15

L’oeuvre Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes,
Kindergarten run by
Montfortian Religious.
Photo: ACN News,
© Maurice Piquard.

PORT AU PRINCE - In a message he sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Apostolic Nuncio of Haiti, Mgsr. Bernardito Auza, imparts the ongoing anguish experienced by the Haitian people as well as pastoral workers: priests, religious brothers and sisters and seminarians.

"We are in big trouble for obvious logistical reasons. We have no reserves of water and petrol stations are closed." According to Msgr. Auza, the centre of operations for relief services may be transferred to Gonaives (more than 100 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince) because "here in Port-au-Prince things are difficult. We lack everything."

The Nuncio also speaks of the death of the man he calls "the good and always smiling" Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Msgr. Joseph Serge Miot (see attachment), who died when the force of the earthquake projected him from the balcony, according to the Nuncio. He had been waiting for someone before going to participate in a celebration. He died immediately.

"There is no electricity and so we decided on Wednesday (January 13) to transfer his body to Saint Marc, Gonaives. I suggested burying him immediately, but here it is not the tradition, it would be an insult," said the Nuncio and as also indicated to Fides, it is unknown yet "how many priests and religious are dead, as some are still [alive] beneath the rubble." The same applies to the Vicar General and Chancellor of Port-au-Prince, respectively – Father Charles Benoit and Brother Chérie. "Brother Chérie is definitely dead, but we are not sure about Father Benoit as he is underneath the rubble of the Archdiocese that had four floors and now is reduced to a pile of cement."

"Last night I went to visit the Major Seminary, which is [now] a heap of concrete, except for one building", continue the Nuncio. A member of the Seminary was able to extract himself from the rubble, but three or four seminarians are still missing and the death of nine others confirmed. The Nuncio goes on to say that he is trying to "assemble all of the priests, religious brothers and sisters who have been left with nothing."

"I also visited religious houses and places to see and to express the concern of the Holy Father," writes the Nuncio. Benedict XVI called for international solidarity during his general audience on Wednesday. He gave assurance of his spiritual closeness to people and implored "God to bring them consolation and relief in their suffering."

"We want to give priority to helping those who are still buried under the rubble. So far, (Thursday morning, January 14) no help by air rescue has arrived." Msgr. Auza reports that the airport control tower has fallen. "A warship with aid should arrive shortly from the U.S. Santo Domingo, our gate to the world for the moment. So many people are waiting for help at the border."

"Yesterday, some bishops were been able to come to the Nunciature to coordinate and make decisions. We will meet again tomorrow (Friday, January 15) with leaders of CRS (Catholic Rescue Services) and Caritas in the Nunciature," concluded the Nuncio in his letter.

2010-01-15

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