Haitians to pray for release of six nuns and all hostages

By Lisa Zengarini

Three days after the abduction of six nuns and two of their companions travelling with them in Port-au-Prince, the leaders of the Haitian bishops and religious have again appealed the kidnappers for their immediate release.

The Bishop also invited Haitians to join in a day of prayer for all hostages in Haiti on January 24.

The nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters of Sainte-Anne were abducted on a minibus in the Haitian capital on 19 January, along with the driver and another passenger, the niece of one of the nuns, who was reportedly released late on Monday evening with no ransom paid

Firm condemnation of the kidnapping

In a strongly-worded press statement issued on Monday, Archbishop Max Leroys Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, president of the Bishops' Conference of Haiti, and Father Morachel Bonhomme, president of the Haitian Conference of religious, reiterated the Church’s firm condemnation of the kidnapping.

The abduction is the latest in a long series of crimes committed by armed gangs that have virtually taken over the country. 

None of the 300 gangs operating in Haiti so far has publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction, though local media alleged that a ransom of 3 million dollars has been demanded.

The Church leaders pleaded for the unconditional release of the nuns and and of all the hostages held captive in the island.

“In the name of God, whom you should fear, stop these despicable and criminal practices which defile this sacred land that God has given us!” they said.

"Reign of terror" in Haiti

While expressing the Church’s sympathy with the relatives of all hostages, the statement also urged the government to crack down on gang violence, saying Haitians are tired of the "reign of terror" imposed by armed groups.

Gangs have grown more powerful in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as other areas in the country.

Killings, turf wars, extortions, and kidnappings happen on a daily basis, also hampering desperately needed international humanitarian aid.

Gangs have been blamed for nearly 2,500  kidnapings in 2023, according to UN sources , more than 80% up from the previous year.

Underfunded and short-numbered police remain overwhelmed by the violence, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has been in power since the assassination of President Moïse, is under strong criticism for not doing enough to deal with the insecurity and the nation’s struggling economy.

“On many occasions, the Church has denounced the silence (of the authorities), which is similar to an attitude of contempt for people’s suffering," the Bishops lamented. “It is time to take the necessary measures to eradicate the scourge of kidnapping and the violence of armed groups which have plunged the country into an increasingly confused and chaotic situation.”

Day of prayer on January 24

Archbishop Mesidor and Fr. Bonhomme then announced that they would devote January 24 to prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration for Haiti.

They invited all priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful to organize “a chain of incessant prayer for the release of the kidnapped people and their families” in their parishes.

Kenya to deploy forces in Haiti

Haiti is now awaiting the deployment of a foreign armed force led by Kenya to help quell gang violence that was approved by the UN Security Council in October last year.

Kenya’s High Court is expected to issue a ruling on January 26 regarding an appeal by the opposition currently blocking the deployment.

On Sunday, Pope Francis also pleaded for the release of the six nuns during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.

“In asking fervently for their release, I pray for social harmony in the country, and I ask all to put a stop to the violence, which causes so much suffering to that dear people," he said.