2/15/2004 - Letter from our colleagues in Haiti

We here in Gros Morne have decided that it is time for us to let you know how we are and how we view things from our perspective.

First let us assure you that we do not feel that we are in immanent danger at this time. While it is true that we here in Gros Morne are closer to the most serious "hotbed" of opposition at this time, we are a full hour away along a very bad road that we do not think the opposition in Gonaives would want to travel any time soon. They have their hands full defending the city over which they have taken complete control. We have heard from some who feel captive in their homes, fearful of going out and being caught in any crossfire as opposing sides periodically do open fire on each other.

We here in Gros Morne have had our moments of more violence, however, for the moment life is calm in this town. Life is not normal, however, especially that there are many people from each of several opposing sides who are in hiding fearful of their safety. The political unrest seems good ground for some people to also settle personal scores and it is easy for them to turn a group or government authorities against individuals since there is a general paranoia among many. Tomorrow there will be a funeral at our church for two young men who were unnecessarily shot by a special force policeman whom people say lost his cool after he and/or his mother were insulted (a thing not taken lightly here in Haiti). Both boys initially survived the gunshots received, but died four days later. Pray that this funeral is not used as a reason for more bloodshed, though we have no police in town with whom they could retaliate.

There are several towns/cities that no longer have police or town officials present, ours being one of them. Some police, as in our town, left at the first signs of conflict. Others were involved in more violent and prolonged conflicts with opposition forces. Everywhere some people's homes have been burned, radio stations closed or burned and many schools have remained closed since after the Christmas holidays. Some children, like those in Gonaives, have actually hardly been to school since October. This we feel is a real tragedy since the children are not only not preparing for their future too well, some are also instead learning the lessons of hate, of non-peaceful ways of dealing with disagreement, and of a crude disrespect for human life. We might note that 50% of the population of Haiti is 18 years of age and under.

We might also clarify one of Vivian's comments about the opposition taking things in their own hands in a violent way. While this is true for some, other members of the opposition clearly want to distance themselves from the violent faction. None of the opposition, however, seems at all willing to negotiate with the present government, even at the invitation of CARICOM (the organization of Caribbean countries). This means that for the time being there is apparently no peace proposal being discussed or negotiated. There is a rare person who will state that they can see where all of this will end. Things are very unclear here in Haiti.

For a long time we were quite adamant that the democratic process had to have its chance here in Haiti and we fully supported the president and his party's stand that the differences should all be settled through elections. However, between this ideal of having elections and the reality of often violent conflicts, much blood has been shed. Only God knows the total reality and how the conflicts can be resolved.

For the moment, we here in Gros Morne as well as our sisters in Jean Rabel have no intention of leaving Haiti. We are, however, trying to keep ourselves informed of any more immanent dangers and will need the guidance of the Spirit at that time. When you say you want to be accompanying people and you are with them in better times, it is not easy to think of leaving them in their times of greatest hardship.

Please know that we will try to keep you informed if situations here change drastically for either good or bad and we do count on your prayers.

Feel free to send us some of the good news in your lives so that we can remember that there is a world beyond Haiti, though the people here are who we most carry in our hearts at this time.

Peace and love, Pat and Jackie

Pat is an educator, and Jackie is a nurse working in Gros Morne, a town one hour north of Gonaives, a center of the political unrest in Haiti at the present time. Both are Roman Catholic nuns. Please refer to the Haiti section of our website for a description of Gros Morne.

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