Religious congregations in Haiti report on damages

Rome, Italy, Jan 20, 2010 / 21:05 pm

Representatives from religious congregations in Haiti, who have seen their communities, houses and facilities damaged or destroyed by the earthquake in Haiti are asking the international community to provide relief to the devastated country.

According to the Fides news agency, the superior general of the Clerics of St. Viator, Father Mark Francis, said “three clerics who were in Grand Goave, have been found alive, although wounded and suffering from fractures.”

The procurator general of the Christian Brothers, Father Leonardo Tejeiro, remarked that the order’s 15 brothers in Haiti all survived the quake unharmed, but that their homes suffered some damage. The order has opened its doors to help the religious who have been left homeless.

The Monfortians reported that 10 of their students were killed in the quake, as they were departing by bus from a conference organized by the Institute for Studies for Religious Men and Women.

The secretary general of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Father John McFadden said their entire community survived the disaster with the exception of one seminarian, Stephane Douge.

“We give thanks to God that so many of our confreres have survived this terrible disaster and pledge our prayers and support for the rescue operations and the remaining pastoral agents who now have to minister to their people in such horrific conditions,” said Fr. McFadden.