As Haiti sinks deeper into chaos every day and gangs tighten their grip, Mgr. Max Leroy Mésidor, Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, warns that "the country is drifting dangerously towards civil war".

According to Mgr Max Leroy Mésidor, "the Haitian police forces are powerless in the face of well-armed gangs which have become an organized army [...]"

He confirmed that the Church has become one of the targets of gangs and kidnappings… "There are kidnappings everywhere… Whether you are rich or poor, intellectual or illiterate, anyone can be kidnapped. It’s a dictatorship, a scourge that must be fought."

Life has also become extremely dangerous for Haitian bishops, especially in gang-controlled areas like the capital Port-au-Prince. "[...] we try to work and witness together. It is not easy, but we must carry our cross and follow Christ, especially during this time of Lent," declared Mgr Mésidor "I myself cannot visit two thirds of my diocese because the roads are blocked”

Despite the difficulties and dangers, the Haitian Church continues its work showing great resilience: "Our people want to live," he declared, stressing that the main mission of the Church in Haiti is to keep hope alive and encourage people, especially young people, not to give up.

S/ HaïtiLibre