In a message broadcast on December 21, the Church of Haiti calls on the country, battered by the violence of armed gangs, to take advantage of this jubilee year placed under the theme of hope to establish peace. The state of security emergency has just been extended for a period of one month in the Caribbean country.
Alexandra Sirgant – Vatican City
The Haitian people wish to be witnesses of hope during this jubilee year. The bishops made the wish in a message published on Saturday, December 21, a few days before Christmas and the opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica by Pope Francis. Quoting the words of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, “In the right time I heard you, in the day of salvation I helped you. Now is the favorable time, now is the day of salvation.» (2 Co 6, 2), the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH) insists that the time has come for it to “hope against all hope» despite the context of insecurity and endless violence, because “hope does not give in to difficulties“. However, these are numerous, the latest being the fire on the night of December 18 to 19 of a major hospital in Port-au-Prince which is now out of service or the extension of the state of security emergency on throughout the national territory from December 22 to January 21. Not to mention the acts of vandalism last October against the convent and hospital of the Missionaries of Charity in Port-au-Prince. However, according to the bishops, “it is the favorable moment to situate ourselves all as true pilgrims and witnesses of hope for this very wounded people, us: bishops, priests, religious men and women, lay faithful, men and women of good will, authorities of the State and Police, responsible for humanitarian and charitable institutions».
The first sign of hope to give to Haitians so that they can resume the course of their lives, they continue, is that of establishing peace through “security to be restored, justice to be restored, serious social inequalities to be combated, displaced families to be supported».
The CEH invites the Catholic faithful to “take full advantage of this jubilee by performing spiritual works of mercy (comforting the afflicted, forgiving offenses, inviting sinners to conversion, etc.) and corporal works (giving food to the hungry, assisting the sick, visiting prisoners, etc.). ). Thus, we will be able to receive the grace of indulgence, the characteristic fruit of any Holy Year through the religious activities and celebrations that will be held in our respective dioceses.».
The Holy Year in Haiti
In Haiti, the official opening of the Jubilee will take place on December 29, the day of the opening of the Holy Door of the Lateran Basilica and the jubilee of the dioceses. The jubilee of the sick will be held on February 11, and that of the young will take place from November 21 to 23. The national jubilee day will be organized on June 27, 2025, on the occasion of the solemnity of the patroness of Haiti Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
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