US missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

A group of seventeen missionaries including their children, have been kidnapped at gunpoint in Hati by a notorious street gang and are being held for ransom. The national Bishops' Conference Committee for Justice and Peace has expressed preoccupation and concern.

By James Blears

The US missionary group snatched, includes a Canadian Citizen. Men women and children are being held. They were abducted from a bus on Saturday after leaving an orphanage, the building of which they`re helping to finance in the town of Croix Des Bouquets, near the capital Port Au Prince. They were on their way to the international airport when gunmen held them up and grabbed them. Those kidnapped, are part of the US-based Christian Aid Ministries. One of those taken managed to send a What'sApp message saying: "Please pray for us. We`re being held hostage. They`ve also kidnapped our driver. We don`t know where they`re taking us. Please pray that the gang and its members reach repentance."

Haitian Officials place the blame at the door of the notorious 400 Mawoza gang. They were also the culprits involved in the kidnapping of Priests and Nuns in April. Back then the gang demanded a million dollars for the release of those clergy. Diplomats managed to secure the release. It was not disclosed if a ransom was paid. If it was, this might have emboldened these criminals to continue on their path of descent. Their demands this time are not yet known.

The lawlessness crisis throughout Haiti has deepened, widened, and worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July and then a 7.2 earthquake pulverized the southwest of the country in August, killing more than 2,000 people.

Concerning this kidnapping, the US State Department stresses that the safety of its citizens... is the top priority.

Listen to the report by James Blears