(January 23, 2010) Pope Benedict has expressed his closeness and solidarity with
the people of the Haiti as they continue to suffer and mourn their dead following
the 7-magnitude earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation on Jan 12. In a message
to President Rene' Preval of Haiti, the Holy Father renewed his appeal for international
solidarity for the affected people and invited calm from Haitians so that international
aid can reach those most in need. He prayed that “solidarity will reign in all hearts,”
and thanked rescue workers from Haiti and the whole world who are digging for survivors
in the rubble, “often putting their own lives at risk.” Pope Benedict assured the
commitment of the Church and its institutions for the people of Haiti. The Holy
Father also expressed his solidarity and closeness with the Church of Haiti. In a
separate message to Archbishop Louis Kebreau of Cap-Haitien, President of the Episcopal
Conference of Haiti, the Pope conveyed his spiritual closeness and fervent prayer
for all people affected by the disaster. He said he prayed for the repose of the
souls of all the dead, including Archbishop Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince, priests,
consecrated persons and seminarians. He welcomed the rapid mobilization of the international
community in the face of the suffering of the Haitian people, and assured that the
Church and its institutions would not fail to assist in emergency relief and in the
patient reconstruction of devastated areas. Meanwhile, Vatican Secretary of State,
Cardinal Tarciso Bertone has also sent messages expressing Pope Benedict’s condolences
for the death of the archbishop of the Haitian capital and United Nations personnel
in Haiti. In a message to apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Cardinal
Bertone expressed the Pope’s closeness with the Catholic Church and the faithful of
Haiti as they buried Archbishop Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince on Saturday. The 63-year
old archbishop died when his cathedral and residence collapsed in the tremors that
killed tens of thousands of Haitians, including the clergy, religious and seminarians.
In another message sent to United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, Cardinal
Bertone conveyed the Pope’s sadness over the death of Ban’s Special Representative
to Haiti, Hédi Annabi, his Deputy Luiz Carlos da Costa, numerous military personnel
of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as well as civilians, volunteers
and local workers. Cardinal Bertone said the Pope offered prayers for the “repose
of the souls of all those who sacrificed their own lives in selfless service to the
United Nations in Haiti and he implores from the Most High comfort and consolation
for their families.” Pope Benedict also expressed his praise and gratitude for to
the UN for its work of preventing conflicts, peace-keeping and peace-building in many
countries of the world.