US bishops promise aid to rebuild Haitian churches

(January 26, 2010) The president of the U.S. bishops' conference has assured the Haitian bishops’ conference president of assistance in reconstructing the Church buildings destroyed in the Jan. 12 earthquake. Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, wrote this in a letter to Haitian Archbishop Louis Kébreau of Cap-Haïtien. "I wish to express our profound sorrow and deepest condolences for the terrible tragedy that has struck your beloved country," Cardinal George stated on behalf of the U.S. bishops, offering condolences for Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince, the priests, religious and seminarians who lost their lives. "Through the presence of Archbishop Dolan," who is chairman of Catholic Relief Services, "I wish to convey to the Church and people of Haiti that we too are with you as you struggle to recover," Cardinal George said. "The Church in the United States is committed to doing everything we can so that you may rebuild and renew and begin again your lives of faith and family and service to Haiti," he pledged. The cardinal affirmed that along with the "food, water, medicine and hope" already being sent to Haiti, preparations are being made to "assist in the rebuilding of churches and other ecclesial structures that serve as a gathering point for prayer and the sacraments."