Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Catholic Church, through her institutions, beyond the great emotion that has been evoked, will continue to accompany those tried in this suffering and, in conformation with her efforts, will help them find the possibility of a hopeful future.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI wrote in a message dated January 16, sent to President Rene Preval of Haiti. “I ask God to welcome into the peace of his kingdom all those who died in the earthquake...and grant consolation to their families, who, often, were unable to provide their deceased loved ones a worthy burial. I pray also that the spirit of solidarity will live in the hearts of all and that calm will reign in the streets, so that the generous aid that is arriving from all countries will bring relief to all and the people who today have lost everything will be comforted in knowing that the entire international community is taking care of them in concrete ways.”
In another message, also dated January 16, addressed to Archbishop Louis Kebreau of Cap-Haitien, President of the Haitian Bishops' Conference, the Pope assured the Archbishop and all the faithful of the Church of Haiti of his “great spiritual closeness” and of his “fervent prayer for all those involved in this catastrophe.” Benedict XVI asks God to “welcome into the peace of his kingdom all those who died in the earthquake, especially Archbishop Serge Miot, Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, who shared the fate of many of the faithful, including priests, consecrated persons and seminarians.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 25/01/2010)
