We must also beware of population programs that incorrectly treat people as a problem, he said. The Church opposes attempts at “eliminating poverty by eliminating people.”
Despite challenges, there are reasons for hope, he stressed, because the greatest resource for Haiti is the Haitian people themselves.
Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, president of Catholic Relief Services, also spoke at the conference, voicing confidence and hope for the future of the nation.
She said that on a recent trip to the country, she had witnessed numerous signs of encouragement, including families with a strong faith, determined young people and individuals recovering from the trauma of the earthquake.
Catholic Relief Services has been in Haiti for more than 50 years, Woo said. The organization currently has a staff of about 700 people, 95 percent of whom are Haitians, including many young people.
Operating out of seven offices and working with 350 local partners, the organization is involved in about 50 projects, she explained.
Now, the group is seeking to build secure and sustainable structures that can withstand future challenges, support local leaders and institutions and connect the work of Haiti with the larger Church, she said.
Of the numerous projects that Catholic Relief Services is currently engaged in, community recovery is among the most critical, Woo said. Families are receiving the help they need to return to their neighborhoods, finding not only shelter, but sanitation, water and safety.
In addition, the organization is working with the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince to create a “teaching hospital” that offers “premier care” for the people, she noted. Efforts are also being made to join with local education groups in order to assess the current status of Catholic education in the country and develop a vision for the future.
Furthermore, Catholic Relief Services is helping farmers add value to their crops, while improving their environmental practices, she explained, adding that all of these endeavors are being undertaken with strong local partnerships.
Woo acknowledged that the path ahead “will be difficult.” However, she said, we can be confident in our reliance on grace and the Holy Spirit, realizing that “not everything depends on us.”
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Michelle La Rosa is deputy editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency. She has worked for CNA since 2011. She studied political philosophy and journalism at the University of Dallas.