Originally published at National Catholic Register
At least 184 people were murdered last weekend by members of organized criminal gangs, just one day after the country’s bishops published their Christmas message.
The bishops of Haiti denounced the “dehumanizing violence” that has plagued the country since the beginning of 2024 and are asking all citizens to “go on with life without becoming discouraged” and to be witnesses of hope.
The bishops posted their Christmas message at the end of their 142nd Ordinary Assembly in which they referred to the uncontrollable spiral of violence that is ravaging Haiti, the result of the actions of organized criminal gangs, which control a large part of Port-au-Prince, the capital of the Caribbean country.
“Many families live in extreme poverty. Added to this is dehumanizing violence. Many people are homeless and without hope. Older people are left to their own devices, worried and saddened by their inability to cope with such a reality. Young people and children are filled with worries about their future and tempted to discouragement. These distressing situations are caused by violence, corruption, cynicism, and poor governance,” the bishops wrote in their Dec. 6 message.
The prelates said they were deeply saddened by the situation and that “in
