A message from the nuncio in Haiti

The apostolic nuncio to Haiti, Monsignor Bernardito Auza, has sent a message to Aid to the Church in Need, appealing for help and reporting on the latest situation in the country, which was hit by a massive earthquake on Tuesday, 12t^h January.

His report confirms the death of a number of clergy and seminarians in the disaster, as well as the destruction of a number of Church buildings.

Below is his message in full.

Monsignor Auza’s message

We're in big trouble for obvious logistical reasons. We have no reserves of water and petrol stations are closed.

CRS (Catholic Relief Services) has an important presence here and perhaps the centre of operations will be transferred to Gonaives [in the north of the country] because here in Port-au-Prince things are difficult.

We lack everything.

Archbishop [Joseph Serge] Miot, the good and always-smiling Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, died when thrown from the balcony of his room while waiting for someone to go out for a ceremony. The strength of the earthquake threw him from the balcony and it seems that he died immediately.

But there is no electricity and so we decided yesterday to transfer his body to Saint Marc, Gonaives. I suggested to bury him immediately, but here it is not the tradition, it would be an insult.

It has still to be yet to be verified how many priests and religious are dead, as some are still beneath the rubble. Even the Vicar General of Port-au-Prince, the Reverend Charles Benoit, and the Chancellor, Father Cherie, are still under the rubble.

Father Cherie is definitely dead, but we are not sure about Father Benoit as he is underneath the rubble of the Archbishop’s [House] that had four floors and now is reduced to a pile of cement.

Seminary destroyed 

Last night I went to visit the major seminary, which is a heap of concrete, except for one building. Thank god all but one of the staff were able to get out of the ruins, but three or four seminarians are still missing. Nine were confirmed dead, including seven in the philosophy section.

We are trying to collect all religious and priests together, who are left with nothing. The shocks continue, but are less violent.

I also visited religious houses and places to see, and to express the concern of the Holy Father. All [are] grateful [in a] situation like this, and want to give priority to helping those who are still buried under the rubble.

Aid trickling through

So far no help by air rescue has arrived. The airport cannot cope – the control tower has collapsed. A warship with aid should arrive shortly from the US.

Santo Domingo [the capital of neighbouring Dominican Republic, with which Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola] is our gate to the world for the moment. So many people are waiting for help at the border.

The people are sleeping or wandering aimlessly through the streets, but many have also left for the mountains for fear of a tsunami. It is probably better that they leave to relieve the congestion in the capital.

Yesterday [Wednesday, 13^th January], some bishops have been able to come to the Nunciature to coordinate and make decisions. We will meet again tomorrow with leaders of CRS and Caritas in the Nunciature.

Thanks again and God bless!

+ Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti