SW News: The Catholic bishops of gang violence-affected Haiti have invited all believers, ecclesiastical institutions, priests and religious to organize a mass novena on the Feast of St Michael the Archangel on September 29 imploring his intercession to liberate the Caribbean country from the plague of insecurity.

In a statement, the prelates said, “Wherever we are, our solidarity, our closeness, our prayers, our exhortations as citizens and as a people can contribute to this. They also expressed hope that there would be a peaceful solution to the crisis. They also appealed that the genocide taking place in the country should be stopped once and for all.

The bishops in their statement said that they are echoing the lament of an entire nation faced with abandonment and going through bitterness and pain caused by mindless violence unleashed by armed gangs. Their statement also mentions the cynicism and apathy shown by political leaders and the hesitation of the global community in intervening in the crisis.

Armed gangs rule the roost in the nation and they control vast swathes of territory. The situation has gone from bad to worse following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise two years ago. His death spurred a political crisis which exacerbated the insecurity in the country. According to reports, gangs are in control of 80 percent of the nation’s capital Port-au-Prince.

The bishops said in their statement that Haiti has been going through “one of the longest and the most lethal socio-political and security crises in its history”.
nity.” Murders, extortions and abductions are the order of the day and often missionaries, religious and priests are targeted.

The United Nations has revealed that this year itself, gang-related violence killed more than 2500 people, and injured over 1000. Almost 1000 people were kidnapped. The armed gangs also indulge in sexual violence such as collective rape and mutilation of women and girls.