Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) - "The day of the earthquake it was as if a bomb had exploded. We brought first aid to many people. I saw terrible scenes. I saw people die as we tried to provide them with first aid. It was ghastly. Now there are many dead bodies along the streets. Universities and schools, with children and young people inside, collapsed, crushing and killing them all: no one had time to escape. I was at school in the French Institute and I was saved, thank God. The other brothers are safe, too: Providence has willed it so. We do everything we can. We are currently in need of analgesics for the wounded and other humanitarian aid." This is testimony relayed to Fides by Brother Victor, one of the 16 Friars Minor (OFM) present in Haiti. Of the three Franciscan convents in which they lived, one collapsed completely and two others are seriously damaged. The schools where the friars carried out their pastoral activities, especially the service of education, have been destroyed.
The monks now dedicate themselves, using the scarce resources and forces available, to the care of the wounded and helping the population. The brotherhood of the Franciscans around the world have promoted a collection in solidarity with the 16 brothers present in Haiti. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/01/2010)
