USCCB - (SDWP) - We beg you, be reconciled to God!

We beg you, be reconciled to God!

Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti
December 17, 1993

Watchman, how much longer the night? … Morning has come!" (Is 21:11-12).

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

These words from the Book of Isaiah refer to the question the prophet was asked by the men of Seir at the time when the people of Israel, facing great human distress, were seeking their Savior: "Watchman, how much longer is the night?", as well as to the hopeful answer he gave these men: "Morning has come!".
Today the People of God are asking the Pastors of the Church of Haiti the same question: "Watchman, how much longer the night?" This question elicits the same reply: "Morning has come!".
We are in the trough between the waves of misfortune that have been breaking over Haiti for a little over two years now. We have the feeling we are plunging deeper and deeper into an abyss of darkness. However, in the depths of this abyss, we do not cease to believe and to hope that "morning has come!". Christ comes in the Christmas mystery, to bring us salvation. He asks us to welcome him. He invites us to conversion. He asks us to come to him without delay. "If you will ask, ask. Come back again" (Is 21:12).

A glance at the situation
Our feelings are intense as we face the succession of physical and moral misfortunes that are torturing the people, corroding the body of society and devastating our country.

At the personal level
- Thousands of children are dying in some regions because of epidemics, the lack of medicine and appropriate treatment.
- Thousands of others, especially those under five years of age, deprived of nourishment are condemned to physical, intellectual and spiritual underdevelopment, for when a child's brain is affected by malnutrition it inevitably loses the necessary mental capacity for its personal development and for that of the community.
- The right of thousands of young people to education and to work is jeopardized by the paralysis of public transport and the lack of financial means.
- Many families are thwarted because they are unable to respond to the basic needs of their children, due to unemployment that is exacerbated by the wide-scale dismissal of employees.
- In addition, the unprecedented increase in the price of basic foodstuffs and medicines also threatens the survival of the population, above all of the poorest.
At the ecological level
The destruction caused by the thoughtless and unchecked deforestation of Haiti's scarce remaining wooded zones is unleashing an irreversible desertification process. This is already adversely affecting the cycle of beneficial rains and causing a decrease in the fertility of the soil and in agricultural production.
We issue a cry of alarm in the face of this situation dangerous not only for Haiti but also for the region. Were Haiti to become a desert, it would be a national disaster with possible repercussions on neighboring countries.

At the social, political and religious level
The atmosphere of deceit matched by hypocrisy in the news, in international relations and in domestic policy practically stifles dialogue between individuals and groups. It is destroying the values of truth and justice in society. What results can be expected from creating this climate, other than degrading persons, destabilizing institutions and discrediting the country?
We live in a society which to reach its goals, at national and international levels:
- does not stop at any means, whether evil, unjust or immoral;
- exploits the situation of confusion in which we find ourselves to settle scores with enemies, to avenge opponents to enrich itself and to extort money from others;
- where accusations, denunciations, hostage taking, kidnapping, political reprisals and killings are commonplace;
- Earthly goods are accumulated by means of the most iniquitous and scandalous procedures. This is an insult to the undeserved poverty of the ordinary people
In some localities, people are afraid to meet to celebrate the Word of God which nevertheless enlightens, fortifies and consoles, and brings people close to one another in brotherhood. In these localities people can no longer calmly gather to praise God and receive the sacraments. On the other hand, those who are intimidating them clearly show a preference for the practice of magic, humanly denigrating and unworthy of man, and for strange traditions that foster divisions and lead to intolerance.

An explanation of the situation
This situation concerns everyone. People of God and men of goodwill, the time has come to commit ourselves to saving our country from disaster. We therefore urge everyone, dearly beloved brothers and sisters, leaders and the people, to seek together the ways to Haiti's unity and progress. Furthermore, after initially seeking to explain the reason for this situation we would like to remind you of certain norms and moral values suitable for guiding us and directing our progress. We will later be able to suggest guidelines, in order to change this situation in the light of God's Word.
"Why has Haiti become what it is today?"
There is no national mystique. We are torn between currents of all kinds which give way to one another or combine. Some are purely and simply opposed to the development of our people and our country. There is an attempt to reduce our Haitian culture to one of its forms of religious expression; voodoo: By this very fact we tend to reject our identity. We have not yet understood that we have a common destiny and that it is together – and only together – that we shall be able to fulfill our present and our future.
"Why has Haiti become what it is today?"
- Because certain sectors of society are living on the edge of the Haitian community, totally engrossed in their own interests.
- Because the majority of the population which bears the burden of the country's economy is marginalized, or even excluded.
- Because these sectors are in antitheses, and selective regrouping exists within each. This leads to a polarization of human relations based on interests of group or social class, or, in brief, on party interests.
This is why today we are facing:
- a gradual decay in the quality of life and in human and Christian ideals;
- disregard for man and his dignity;
- the rejection of development and progress.
In fact, over and above all these causes, is not the prime reason why we are drifting, a rejection of the basic principles of ethics and Christian morality? This is why we place so much importance on these norms and values.
1. The end does not justify the means. It is not permissible to resort to just any means even for legitimate ends.
  
  To understand this principle better, let us point to specific modes of obviously deviant behavior.
  
  Certain sayings, such as "stealing from the State is not stealing" and "getting out of things is not a sin", are not moral principles, but the expression of immoral practices, prevalent in a society struggling to justify abuse and injustice.
2. Force does not take precedence over law.
  
  The common good should be pursued in discussions, negotiations and mediations at national and international levels. One should not resort to pretexts that try to paralyse or cripple a country.
  
  Here too, we would like to clarify this principle with the concrete example of frustration brought about by certain devious attitudes. We often hear it said in Haiti: "Ravèt pa janm gen rèzon dèvan poul". This means that compared with the power of the great, the rights of ordinary people do not count. This is exactly what we are experiencing in Haiti today.
  
  This situation is intolerable, both with regard to relations within the country and to relations with the international community.
3. Political life cannot be separated from morality. To be viable, the organization of human societies into a political community must be based on ethical principles and moral values. For, as St. Augustine said: "Without justice what would the kingdoms of the world be except immense banditry?" (De civitate Dei, bk IV, ch4).
Guidelines to change this situation
In Haiti's situation, according to our analysis, man's dignity, his values and his needs are at stake: the need for love, the need for truth, the need for justice and for freedom.
1. The need for love
  
  No man can live without love. Love seems now about to desert our land of Haiti. Haitians are swept up in a whirlwind of violence and hatred. To our eyes, the international community itself, called upon to help countries solve their problems, seems a heartless world. As regards the sanctions against Haiti, we ourselves have heard some of those who imposed them declare: "We have not taken these measures against Haiti, but to protect our own countries and to enable our people to live in peace". In other words, Haiti can die, as long as other nations live. So is it possible that love has abandoned this earth? And yet, love must triumph. "For God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). God loves us. "If God so loved us, we also must love one another" (1Jn 4:11).
2. The need for truth
  
  "Kindness and truth shall meet", says the psalmist (Ps 85:11a). But, because love seems to have deserted our land, the light of truth also seems to have grown dim. Haitians are caught in a vortex of lies and hypocrisy. The world community seems to spin in an infernal cycle hindering relationships between peoples. Without claiming to hide or minimize the cause which led to the imposition of sanctions on our country, we believe that a political problem cannot be solved by endangering thousands of human lives. It is known by experience that such sanctions leave those they target unscathed and are most frequently ineffective. In the end truth must triumph. For the human spirit is made for truth and only "the truth will set you free" (Jn 8:32).
3. The need for justice
  
  "Justice and peace shall kiss", the psalmist continues (Ps 85:11b). The word justice has become hackneyed in our country. It has lost its meaning. It is a source of division, because for many it has become synonymous with vengeance, retaliation, violence and hatred. True justice must triumph so that peace may reign in this country. True justice is conformity with law. It gives everyone his due and to all what they need.
4. The need for freedom
  
  "For freedom, Christ set us free" (Gal 5:1). Freedom is the prerogative of all mankind. But for some time now in Haiti freedom has been used as a pretext for doing anything. Freedom and licentiousness have been confused. The thirst for free speech and freedom of opinion, out of a desire to subjugate those who do not share our points of view.
  
  We have denounced the deceitfulness of the international community, which has been deluding the Haitian people for more than five years. It imposes its wishes on us by making fine promises, all the better to make us relinquish our freedom. It is necessary to return to respecting other people's freedom of opinion. In the end true freedom must triumph. For, "Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil (1Pt 2:16).
  
  Love, truth, justice, freedom: these are the aspirations which are dearest to the Haitian.
Can these aspirations be achieved?
The crowd which flocked to John on the banks of the Jordan heard him say "Repent" (Mt 3,2). Change your heart. Change your conduct. Change your life. And John explained what this conversion required:
- Love of one's neighbor: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise" (Lk 3:11).
- Truth: "Do not falsely accuse anyone" (Lk 3:14);
- Justice: "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed …and be satisfied with your wages" (Lk 3:13-14).
- Freedom: "Do not practice extortion" (Lk 3:14).
If we are to change Haiti's situation today we must satisfy these requirements.

Haiti cannot continue living this nightmare caused by hatred. We need a "supplément d'âme", in other words an increase of moral energy to surmount the impasse, pulling down once and for all the historical barriers which are dividing the children of a single country.

The apathy or indifference of the rich, the aggression or bitterness of the deprived, are a source of destructive feuding that hinders the indispensable changes which the Holy Father has desired for so many years. We must exert ourselves and join forces to undertake the way of progress and peace together.
- Haiti cannot continue to live in an atmosphere of falsehood that is often the consequence of wickedness. By exploiting the ignorance, naïveté and poverty of the people, their conscience has been assaulted. They have been dragged into adventures whose consequences to themselves, their relatives and the whole community are unpredictable.
  
  At the highest level it is important to ensure that information is totally objective. The Haitian people crave news and too often take any news in the newspapers, broadcast on radio or television as Gospel truth. Education in Haiti takes place to a large extent through the media of social communication.
  
  We therefore appeal to the conscience of those responsible for transmitting information, that they impartially broadcast news that corresponds to the truth completely, that they eschew impassioned or partisan commentaries that mislead people, that they avoid broad casting scandalous information which respects neither the people's personality nor their private life.
- Haiti cannot continue to live in this climate of injustice created by a distortion of the notion of justice. Exploiting the lack of legal institutions, the people have been led to believe that it is necessary to take justice into their own hands, and they have been forced to do things contrary to real justice. An adequate, efficient legal system is urgently needed to impart justice to whom justice is due, so that Haiti may finally live under the rule of justice and law.
- Haiti cannot continue to live without freedom. Neither can it any longer afford to confuse freedom and licentiousness. Freedom of speech was one of the main achievements of the movement of 7 February 1986. Because freedom of speech is abused, people have been forced to excesses harmful to the establishment of a constitutional State: intolerance towards opinions differing from their own, the rejection of dialogue, violence in the way they claim their rights, etc…. All this, to the great detriment of respect for the human person. May everyone avoid recourse to intimidation and to threats that hinder others full exercise of their freedom! Hence, everyone should abide by the law and respect its limits!
"Watchman, how much longer the night?
Morning has come!
If you will ask, ask: Come back again (Is 21:12).

We are overcome by a feeling of distress when, as we face this situation, we discern obstacles looming in our path.

We feel helpless when we consider the demands to be met in order to put the situation right. But when the tempest rages, in the grip of anguish we cry to the Lord: "Lord save us! We are perishing!". And an immense hope revives us when he asks us: "Why are you terrified?" (Mt 8:25:26).

On the eve of Christmas, he is calling us one and all. He calls each one of us to hear him say: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11:28-29).

All together he calls us to hear his message of love: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you" (Jn15:12). We are addressing the same appeal to you, and we invite you to show this love deeply while we urge you to reconciliation: "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:20), by making peace with your brothers and sisters.
We are addressing this same appeal to all our brothers and sisters so that they may recognize the errors they have committed, make the necessary amends and assume their responsibilities in rebuilding our country.

We ask priests and consecrated persons to reflect the image of Christ, who was gentle and humble of heart, in their life and in their teaching: educate the people to adhere constantly to love and truth for love without truth ruins the heart, and truth without love hardens it.

Priests, men and women religious, educate the people to look truthfully at themselves, to know their rights, to recognize their mistakes and compensate for them, to be reconciled, to live in unity and mutual respect. The Eucharist which we share daily invites us to do so. It makes no exceptions of any person, class, family or social context.

We appeal to all lay people, especially those who have a responsibility in the Church, that, overcoming difficulties, they together seek ways to unity.

We urge all the nation's rulers, all political leaders, all those in charge of the social and professional sectors, to act positively by tearing down barriers and removing obstacles in the way of harmony and peace. We invite them to surpass themselves in the name of such attributes as: unselfishness, self-denial, heroism, patriotism, in a word: Haiti!
We encourage all the groups who are working to reforest our country to persevere in their efforts. But we wholeheartedly appeal for a more effective commitment from the whole Haitian community, to solve this crucial problem of the degradation of the environment and its consequences for the present and future of the nation.
We are concerned by the people's distress and above all, by the plight of the children.

A humanitarian aid project is under way organized by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" in liaison with the Haitian Episcopal Conference's National Secretariat for the Social Apostolate. We trust that this project, which is chiefly designed to benefit children, may be implemented as soon as possible.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Despite the difficult times we are experiencing, we wish you a happy Christmas. For it will be a good one if we welcome Christ and if we all unite to build a reconciled and fraternal Haiti.

We know that God alone can grant us this grace. This is why under the protection of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we join our voices in prayer to the Lord:

Lord Jesus,

You who reveal your divine grandeur to us by making yourself a tiny child close to us and our problems, help us to free ourselves from this crisis that is increasing your people's misery.

You alone are our Savior; teach us to make the most of the salvation that you offer us by delivering us from sin, the cause of our wretched plight, and pouring on us your light and the power of your love.

We unlock the gates of our hearts to your liberating love and we are sincerely committed to forgiving all those we consider our enemies.
O come, Lord Jesus, and save us by changing our hearts and our outlook, by making us men and women of goodwill and faith. Pluck from our midst all that nurtures fear, hatred, division and injustice.

Lord Jesus, with our Father and the Holy Spirit, help us to be faithful. We ask you this humbly, though the intercession of the Virgin Mary, your Mother and ours, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Amen