Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) - We have still have fresh in our minds the dramatic images that TV and newspapers around the world are portraying as a witness to the catastrophe caused by the earthquake that struck the capital of Haiti. In Port-au-Prince, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) are distributed in 6 communities. In addition to the provincial house, which we have been told has not suffered major damage, there are other FMA houses which, however, had many losses. A young nun was injured and is now in the hospital. The works of the FMA include schools, boarding schools, orphanages, centers for street children, literacy centers, vocational training centers, oratories, and youth centers. All places attended by many young people and children. From the news, it is evident that the damage to human life and property are many. The FMA arrived in Haiti in 1935 with six missionaries who began the earlier works. This chapter, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, currently has 79 FMA distributed in 14 communities: 63 sisters of perpetual vows, 16 in temporary vows, and 7 novices. From Santo Domingo, the sisters from the Antillana Chapter, those closest to them, write saying they're trying to travel to Haiti, to see firsthand how they can help those struck by this tragedy.
(AP) (Agenzia Fides 15/1/2010)
