In Haiti, the Catholic Church faces chaos

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Haiti (CEH) has launched a vibrant appeal for peace following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, the impoverished Caribbean nation’s president.

Condemning an "inadmissible and revolting" murder, the bishops on July 7 called on all Haitians to "seek together, around a table, the Haitian solution so long awaited by the population, dictated by the love of Haiti and the values of our people".

Three months after the release of seven Catholic religious hostages who were taken hostage in April, the Church once again appears as one of the last poles of stability in a country plunged into chaos.

Human, health and educational assistance

The Catholic Church is the only major institution that is present in Port-au-Prince in all the provincial cities. In recent years it has asserted itself as a key political and social force.

Bishop Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie, whose diocese is just west of the capital, said the Church provides spiritual help as well as human, health and educational assistance. 

Despite its "shortcomings and limitations", it "will always be present to accompany Haitians in crucial moments like this", he pointed out.

Relations between Church and State in Haiti have long been regulated by a concordat regime, so both entities are used to working together.

"Today, faced with the complete collapse of the Haitian state, which no longer has a president, parliament or judiciary, I believe that the Church is the only solid institution capable of providing the necessary guidelines for our society," said Father Stevenson Montinard, a Haitian from the French Missionary Society of Saint Jacques.

"I was really stunned when I heard the news," said Morgane Perrachon, a former volunteer with the Catholic Organization for International Solidarity, FIDESCO.

She was deeply impacted by her time in Haiti and keeps in close contact with people there. 

Perrachon returned to France in November 2019 due to the dangerous security situation. She said that even during her time in the country the local bishops put pressure on President Moïse.

"I remember it was a Church that was very worried and angry at the inaction of the state," she recalled.

The Haitian bishops have for many years urged citizens and political leaders to "awaken the Haitian people". They have alternated strong words of condemnation with appeals of encouragement.  

"Our words are based on the rousing consciences of leaders and citizens, to a civic and patriotic awakening, to union, harmony, solidarity, respect for life, property and justice," said Bishop Décoste. 

Help from abroad

He said the local Church is able to make its message come alive on the ground, but that is also thanks to help from abroad. 

"On our own, we could not accomplish our mission of evangelization, education and promotion of human dignity. We need volunteers and friends who can accompany us in this immense work because of the failings of the state," the bishop said. 

Father Montinard said the Church in Haiti is especially lacking in reflection and formation groups.

"I think the Church can be inspired by what is happening elsewhere. When the country gets bogged down in a crisis like this, we need experts who are able to anticipate," he explained. 

"An institution that is able to give guidance, in an anticipatory way, that is able to create meaning, that is all we need today," the priest said.

The Haitian Church also has the support of the universal Church. 

Pope Francis issued a strong statement on July 8 to express his "sadness" and condemned "all forms of violence as a means of resolving crises and conflicts". 

He also wished "for the dear Haitian people a future of fraternal harmony, solidarity and prosperity".