Haiti’s bishops rejoice over country’s first Cardinal-to-be

(Vatican Radio) Haiti’s bishops are giving thanks for the creation of their first Cardinal in the upcoming Consistory this Saturday February 22^nd. Pope Francis will give the new red hat to the President of the Haitian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Chibly Langlois, of the Diocese of Les Cayes. The bishops also urged Haiti's political and civil leaders to support "the process of national dialogue" to further the "higher interests of the nation and the good of the Haitian people."

Upon hearing the news of the nomination of their first Cardinal, the Haitian Bishops’ Conference at the end of last month issued a pastoral message to all “men and women of good will.” We publish below the unofficial translation of that message:

Sisters and Brothers Beloved !
” Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! “(2 Thessalonians 1: 2)
1 . In this Year of grace 2014 we commemorate the 210th Anniversary of the Independence of Haiti , we are at a crucial moment in our history , both ecclesiastical and at the social and political level . The ecclesial level , it is time for thanksgiving and joy with the creation , on February 22 next by Pope Francis, the first Haitian Cardinal, His Eminence Cardinal Chibly LANGLOIS , Bishop of the Diocese of Les Cayes and President of the CEH . It is a mark of great confidence that honors all the Haitian people.

2 . At the Social and political level , it is a time of hope for a national dialogue. In a pastoral note dated September 27, 2013 , the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Haiti had offered his mediation to help political and state actors to interact together to find a concerted and consensual solution to the crisis in our nation . This dialogue is ongoing.

3 . We invite all sectors of national life to continue to support this process by bringing in our thoughts , our communications and especially in prayer, so that all actors involved in the national dialogue will be enlightened and guided by the inspiration and Wisdom of the Lord Our God to work selflessly , tirelessly , so the higher interests of the nation and the good of the Haitian people may prevail .

4 . In this perspective , we the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Haiti , decree Feb. 7, 2014 , a day of fasting and prayer in all dioceses , parishes , chapels and communities. We believe in the power of prayer as it is the encounter with the living God -an encounter opening up new horizons , unites us to the Lord our God and unites us to one another in the light of faith , Hope and Charity . It is also the inexhaustible source of all personal and collective efforts in favor of the common good .

5 . We invite all Catholic faithful , all Priests , Religious , Religious , all Christians , all believers, all men and all women of good will to engage in this prayerful initiative to accompany , support and carry forward national dialogue that aims at nothing but the material and spiritual welfare of all Haitians.

6 . We take this opportunity to announce that the Church in Haiti will hold a Mass at Sylvio Cator Stadium , Sunday, March 9, 2014 , at 3:00 pm to give thanks to God for the gift of a Haitian Cardinal to the universal Church .

7 . May the Lord our God bless us and bless this efforts in favor of reconciliation , peace and genuine development of the Haitian people !

8 . May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help , Patroness of Haiti , watch over and protect us !

Given to Lillavois at the Headquarters of the CEH , the feast of St. John Bosco, 31 January 2014 .