The Passion of Haiti and our response

Haiti was recently devastated by its worst earthquake in over 200 years. A 7.0 quake hit Port-au Prince on Tuesday the 12^th of January. It is still too early to tell what the extent of the damage is to that area but the death toll is expected to be in the thousands. Our Prayers go out to the people of Haiti in this time of unimaginable suffering and devastation.

The Passionist response to the Haitian Crisis

The Passionist community has served the Haitian area in coalition with the “Friends of the Orphan” program and Compassion Weavers. Fr. Rick Frechette, CP is a Passionist missionary that serves the Haitian community as a Priest and a Medical Doctor. Fr. Rick ministers at two Hospitals in Haiti and with the St. Luke’s medical mission he goes out to offer medical care to people who have no access to get to a hospital. He also works alongside the Sisters of Mother Teresa in their centers for the sick and destitute dying. This video that was produced in 2008 will highlight the Haitian ministry that he has engaged with. This is a very powerful video on a reality that almost seems unreal.

 

This week, members of the Passionist Community will go with Fr. Rick to examine the damage done to the Hospitals and to the community that they serve. Fr. Rick is going to be asking many of us who have supported these ministries before to financially help him with the devastation to the hospitals that serve an immediate need for a people that are facing unimaginable suffering and physical pain.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. The need at this time cannot be underestimated. In the spirit of Justice our first response is to address the suffering that is being experienced at this moment and when we hear back from Fr. Rick I will immediately post the specific needs that the community requires in serving our Haitian brothers and sisters.

Poverty and Debt

Let us also keep in mind however that Haiti’s financial predicament was also connected to an odious debt situation in which the nation could no longer create any necessary infrastructures such as hospitals and schools. The organization Jubilee USA was proud to post some great news when this summer the United States organized to cancel the debts that Haiti had not only with our nation but also with the International Financial Institutions (Click here to read about the Haitian debt cancellation Press Release.) At this time Congress is considering the following Bill titled the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR 4405) which will forgive the debts of so many other poor nations. In Passionist spirituality the Cross is a vehicle that brings us to a new life in the Resurrection. May the Cross that Haiti is experiencing renew in us a commitment to serve our poorer Brothers and Sisters directly and politically. Please visit the Jubilee USA action page to advocate for debt cancellation.

3 Responses to “The Passion of Haiti and our response”

1. ASTERIO VELASCO, Deacon says:

   January 13, 2010 at 3:27 pm

   I received a lot when Fr. Richard was at Sts. Joseph and Michael in Union City. Please let me know how can I send a contribution to help in his apostolate in Haiti. Also, if possible, send me his email. I would love to get in contact with him.
2. John says:

   January 13, 2010 at 6:32 pm

   Deacon Velasco,

   I am still waiting to hear back from Fr. Rick. You can visit the following link with the Eastern Province website to donate now to Fr. Rick and his mission to Haiti: http://thepassionists.org/whats_new/2010/01/13/haitis-newest-tragedy-we-need-gods-help/

   Otherwise I hope to have specific request and information on the situation with regards to the Children’s hospital and orphanage.
   Peace,
3. Hayri says:

   January 16, 2010 at 9:01 pm

   I studied medicine with Father Rick and would like to be able to help him now – with money toward what is needed at the moment and possibly with a doctor’s help in the future. I would love if you let him know Hayri (Harry) S. from medical school is looking to communicate with him and see what he needs. Thanks so much. If you have his email, that would be great.

   HS