Letter of Solidarity with the People of Haiti

A week has already passed since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, even though new tremors, some very strong, continue to occur. During these days, we have all heard and seen the news of the catastrophe transmitted by the media. Reporters and journalists cannot find words to adequately convey all that the people of the poorest country of Latin America have suffered until now and continue to suffer. The Haitian government has released the first official figures of the tragedy: 75,000 deaths, 250,000 injured and a million people homeless. It also seems that more than half of the victims of the earthquake are under 18 years of age according to reports from the UN.

Perhaps we are not capable of processing all of this data and are somewhat stunned by the figures and images that are by now embedded in our minds. We cannot imagine that such calamities occur even now. In fact, we have a lot of questions, but there are no answers beyond the technical explanations. Yet, when it is has to do with the lives of so many people, those explanations do not satisfy us. I believe, however, that in the midst of this climate of death the question that we should ask is whether we are not somewhat hypocritical in our way of thinking and acting. I say this, because every hour of every day the tragedy of death affects the weakest among us on our planet. This fact, alone, should lead us to reflect and to then commit ourselves on the level of the Order to the weakest and the poorest of the earth.

In Haiti, there are not survivors, but rather lifeless bodies, desperate families and many children left completely alone … but life goes on and babies continue to be born. Yes, it is true, in the midst of death new life appears and, perhaps, new hope for a people who have been abandoned so many times. As Prior General I invite you to join in solidarity with these our brothers and sisters who have suffered this immense tragedy. At this moment, the Haitian people are the most needy and they plead for the help we can give. It is indeed important that we share deeply in their sorrow and keep the victims, living and deceased, ever present in our daily prayers before the Lord. But it is also important that our material help reach them because their recovery as a people and the reconstruction of their country will demand much effort and help over a long period of time.

From a letter by Fr. Robert F. Prevost, Prior General of the Order

Posted by Carlos J. Medina