Today is the day of the national strike called in Haiti by the bishops after the kidnapping of 5 priests, 2 nuns and 3 lay people. As the agency reported Fides, on the second Sunday of Easter, while the Church was celebrating Divine Mercy, the Society of Priests of Saint Jacques and the Archdiocese of Cap Haitien lamented the kidnapping of the religious. The kidnapping took place in the town of Croix-des-Bouquets, near the capital Port-au-Prince. Police suspect that an armed band active in the area, nicknamed “400 Mawozo”, is behind the kidnapping. A ransom of one million euros was requested for their release.
In a note sent to Fides, the bishops today ask “Catholic schools, religious schools, universities and all other Catholic institutions to observe the interruption of works”. They ask priests, religious, pastoral workers “to accompany and maintain the people of God in hope as Pope Francis wants”. They still ask “that all the church bells ring at noon”. And “that in the masses celebrated in all the churches we pray for a to ask God for a change for Haiti”.
Cases of kidnapping are increasingly frequent in the country. Insecurity has reigned for years. The Bishops claim to have learned “with great indignation” about the kidnapping of religious. The strike is an extreme gesture within a framework that offers little hope.
Central America, fleeing from hunger: the migrant caravan from the “triangle of violence” to the border with the USA
by Daniele Mastrogiacomo
Vatican News instead reports a letter of solidarity addressed by the presidency of Celam, the American Episcopal Council, to Monsignor Launay Saturné, archbishop of Cap-Haïtien and president of the Haitian Bishops’ Conference: “Let us raise our voices – he writes -, to condemn with all our strength this cruel and inhumane act, which endangers the health and life of ten people who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and neighbor ”.
The letter also addresses the jailers so that, “in the name of the God of Love, Justice and Mercy, they immediately free these brothers, unjustly deprived of their freedom”. “No one can take the right to deprive another of their personal freedom, especially if it is a kidnapping for the purpose of extortion, the aim of which is to obtain a ransom in exchange for the freedom of innocent people. International law provides for severe penalties for this type of illegal act ”, recalls Celam, who asks the Haitian authorities to make every effort“ to obtain the rapid release of these brothers ”.
.