Haiti: Five priests, two nuns, three laypeople kidnapped

Photo by Zach Vessels on Unsplash

Source: Fides

Five priests, two nuns and three laypeople were kidnapped on Divine Mercy Sunday, in the town of Croix-des-Bouquets, near the Port-au-Prince in Haiti.

Father Stevenson Montinard, priest of Saint Jacques, confirmed the news and asked for prayers for all the hostages. The kidnapped people are: French priest Fr Michel Briand, Fr Jean Nicaisse Milien, Fr Joël Thomas, Fr Evens Joseph, and Fr Jean-Hugues Baptiste, French Sister Agnès Bordeau, of the Congregation of Providence of Pommeraye, Sister Anne Marie Dorcelus, of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Child Jesus, together with three laypeople, relatives of another priest.

The group were abducted on their way to the parish of Galette Chambon. According to Fr Stevenson Montinard, the kidnappers demand a large sum of money for their release.

Kidnapping cases are occurring every day in Haiti as the country's security is very weak. Fr Renold Antoine, CSsR, said: "This new case is a reflection of the collapse of the security apparatus of the State and the country. No one seems to be safe anymore... Outlawed groups continue to sow fear and sadness in the hearts of the population."

Police suspect that an armed gang active in the area, nicknamed '400 Mawozo', is behind the kidnapping.

The Conference of Haitian Religious (CHR) said in a statement: "The CHR expresses its deep regret but also its anger at the inhumane situation we have been going through for more than a decade."

Haiti, the poorest country on the American continent, was devastated by earthquake and hurricanes over the last decade. The country is in a profound political crisis. Gang violence and political instability have recently led to demonstrations on the streets of the capital.

President Jovenel Moïse claims that his term will expire on February 7, 2022, while the opposition and part of civil society say it ended on February 7, 2021. This disagreement is due to the fact that Moise was elected in a vote canceled for fraud, then re-elected a year later.