SW News: Following the April 13 assault on a church in Port-au-Prince, which resulted in the kidnapping of many individuals and the injury of many more, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince in Haiti has demanded that authorities assure the safety of public and religious institutions.

Last week, at the end of a Mass conducted by Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor of Port-au-Prince, armed men came into the church, abducted several people, and gravely wounded two others who needed hospitalization.

According to the archbishop, such instances endanger both the sanctity of a church and the freedom of its residents to roam across the country. He voiced his outrage at kidnappings and extortion in the statement and urged state officials to do more to safeguard residents and their property.

The archbishop emphasized that God does not tolerate abuse or enslavement of His children.

After 30 years in Port-au-Prince's Cité Soleil area, the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) hospital took the painful choice to temporarily shut down and relocate due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, in his Easter Urbi et Orbi Message, Pope Francis urged the international community to collaborate in finding a long-term solution to the Caribbean country's many problems, which include a political, social, and humanitarian disaster.

Ever since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, the internal security of the nation has gone for a toss with armed gangs claiming control over vast swathes of territory and roaming freely. They indulge in rape, mindless killing and attacks on churches and Church institutions and also abduct people. Their soft targets include missionaries, priests and nuns as they are under the notion that the Church can raise a huge amount as ransom to free them. Gang wars to expand control over their respective areas also result in a large number of civilian deaths and internal displacement.