Wednesday, July 27 around 10:00 a.m., the transitional Cathedral of Port-au-Prince Notre Dame de l'Assomption where the celebration of the patronal feast is scheduled for August 15, located on Street Dr Aubry, downtown of Port-au-Prince was the subject of an attack by gang members, of vandalism and partial arson.

Let's remember that this area has been the subject for several days of violent armed clashes between the men of the G9 and those of Bel-Air...

Faced with the intensity of the shooting, the firefighters had to turn back first before being able to reach the cathedral in a second time to contain the disaster and extinguish the fire.

Father Sander Louis-Jean, pastor of the Cathedral, reports that armed individuals used a heavy machine to break down the main barrier.

According to the report of the firefighters, the bandits demolished part of the wall of the facade of the building before entering the premises and setting fire which took in the front gates and the side doors towards Saint Laurent street. The flames burned several benches and also damaged part of the ceiling and floor of the church.

Bullet holes are visible on the facade of the Cathedral according to witnesses.

In a note, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince "[...] thanks all those who showed their closeness to the clergy of the cathedral, as well as the police forces and the firefighters who helped us to save the transitional cathedral building. We expect the authorities to carry out a serious investigation in order to find and punish the perpetrators of this fire.

May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, intercede for the people of Haiti and for peace in our country."

It is not known why the Transitional Cathedral was the target of this attack...

SL/ HaitiLibre