The nuns of the Congregation of Santa Ana were taken hostage by armed men while traveling by bus on January 19th. Two other people were also kidnapped. All were released, as confirmed by the archbishop of the Haitian capital, Max Leroy Mésidor. Last Sunday, during the Angelus, the Pope appealed for the release of the nuns and for social peace on the island.
Mário Galgano – Vatican City
According to local media reports, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of three and a half million US dollars. Confirmation of the release was transmitted to the Vatican media by the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Haitian capital. Max Leroy Mésidor is also president of the Haitian Episcopal Conference. He expressed his joy at this news to Vatican News and thanked all those who were attentive observers and supporters in this situation: “We thank God! Thank you for your support.”
At the Angelus last Sunday, January 21st, the Pope made a “sincere” appeal from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the release of the six nuns and for the dramas that the island is experiencing: “I pray for social harmony in the country and we appeal to everyone to put an end to with the violence that brings so much suffering to this beloved population”, said the Pope.
The Pope's request
The Pope's request was answered by Pierre-André Dumas, bishop of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne and vice-president of the Haitian Episcopal Conference, who announced over the microphones of Vatican Radio that he would offer himself as a hostage in exchange for those kidnapped. “The kidnapping of women who dedicate their lives to saving the poor and young people is a gesture that will bring God's judgment,” added the pastor, stigmatizing the kidnapping, which is part of numerous episodes of violence, which would hurt the face of the country, explained the bishop.
In a statement published this Thursday, Dumas thanked the Lord for the release of the eight hostages: “This traumatic event has once again tested our faith, but it remains unshakable. We cry out to God,” he continued, adding, “God strengthened us in our trials and brought our prisoners back to freedom. He has converted hardened hearts and will free Haiti from all evil, so that all his children will know the joy of priceless freedom. The Church remains committed to ensuring that Haiti enters an era of justice and peace.”
The Haitian Church in prayer
The Catholic Church in Haiti itself organized a day of prayer, meditation and Eucharistic adoration for the nuns and all those kidnapped on Wednesday, January 24th. “They must stop trampling on the inalienable dignity of the children of God,” wrote Archbishop Mesidor and Father Morachel Bonhomme, president of the Conference of Religious of Haiti, in a joint message calling on all Haitian faithful to “end an incessant chain of organize “prayers” for the release of those kidnapped. So now the good news of the launch has come.
(Vatican news)