Haiti's president assassinated

The Haitian bishops have expressed their horror at the assassination of the Caribbean country’s president. The assassination takes place in the context of growing violence in Haiti.

By ACN Staff

A Haitian woman prays. (Credit: Valerian Mazataud/KEYSTONE)

The Episcopal Conference of Haiti has expressed dismay at the assassination of Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, on the night of the 6-7 July. The conference has also passed on its condolences to the president’s family. The president’s wife, Martine, was also shot during the incident and is currently being treated in hospital. The bishops said the following:

“This sad event marks an unfortunate turning point in the history of our people…by the deliberate choice of violence made, for some time, by many sectors of the population as a method of survival and dispute resolution.”

Reconstruction after hurricane Matthew, parish Saint Joseph de Carcasse. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Violence has become a major issue in Haiti over the last few years. According to the National Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace there was a drastic increase in violent crime in the metropolitan area of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince between January and March 2021. In that time there were 131 violent deaths in the area, with 34 of the victims remaining unidentified. Kidnapping also remains a major issue in Port-au-Prince. According to the Commission for Justice and Peace there are on average one or two kidnappings a day, but sometimes as many as five or six per day.

This all poses a huge challenge to the Church in Haiti. Head of projects for Haiti at Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Rafael D'Aquí was saddened by the news of the president’s death. He said the following:

"It is a sign of the total lack of stability that exists in the country. It is a great challenge for the Church, which has a key role as a promoter of peace. Haitian society needs to deepen the Gospel message of justice, reconciliation and forgiveness…The creation of a leadership with a heart deeply rooted in faith is a fundamental pillar for the reconstruction of Haiti."

Rafael D'Aquí  also requested prayers:

"I acknowledge the great effort of the Church to give signs of hope to people in a situation of despair, after so many natural catastrophes and due to extreme poverty. We cannot leave them alone. Let us join the request of the Bishops and ask Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness and Protector of Haiti, to help them and free Haiti from the bonds of hatred and evil."