Italy – Rector Major's Message for Haiti Salesians: "Try to find in these difficult moments the strength of interiority, faith and communion among you"

02 October 2019

(ANS - Turin) - The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, came to know about the difficult socio-political situation in Haiti and sent a message of solidarity and encouragement to the country's Salesians. "My dear confreres, my dear friends, good morning ... I am with Jean-Paul Mésidor, Superior of the Vice Province of Haiti. We are here in Valdocco. I want to greet you, my dear brothers, I know that at the moment you are living in a very difficult situation: political instability, insecurity, poverty ... I pray for you. Try to find in these difficult moments the strength of interiority, the strength of faith and communion among you. Things that could stimulate you to move forward. Don Bosco also experienced difficult moments like you."

In Haiti, most of the activities have been paralyzed since September 16th. For the most part, public transport, commercial activities and schools in Port-au-Prince and in provincial cities are not functioning. Barricades of burning tires are erected at various points throughout.

In La Saline, a heavily populated shantytown north of Port-au-Prince, where the first Salesian house is located, the situation is extremely dramatic. Armed gangs face each other all day, every day. The Salesians live in a situation of stress and fear because they are at the center of these clashes.

Since 1936, the presence of the Salesians in La Saline is noteworthy with three major centers: ENAM, National School of Arts and Crafts; OPEPB, “Opera Little Schools of Father Bonen”; Foyer Lakay, a home for children and young people in difficulty. Every day about 4000 children and young people are welcomed.