WCC NEWS: Churches in Haiti “overwhelmed by the growing suffering of our people”

Churches in Haiti are communicating with hearts overwhelmed by the growing suffering of their people, according to Rev. Eliner Cadet, president of the National Coalition of Haitian Pastors.  Marceline area, Camp Perrin, a lot of damage and several victims of the August 14, 2021 earthquake among the community. The ACT Haiti Forum is responding to the humanitarian needs of affected families and communities. Photo: Thomas Noreille/ACT 12 May 2025 “In this context of great distress, we turn to your noble institution, a true spiritual and moral beacon in the world, to seek your prayers, support, and intervention,” said Cadet. “First, we ask you to lift up in your prayers the internally displaced Haitians and those suffering massive and inhumane deportations by the authorities of the Dominican Republic.” Internally displaced people are enduring terrible humiliations that violate their human dignity, according to Cadet.  “Despite our limited resources, the coalition strives to provide pastoral and humanitarian support to those who are suffering,” said Cadet. “However, faced with the magnitude of the crises—social, political, and humanitarian—we are overwhelmed.” Cadet appealed for Christian solidarity and support, and for united prayer for the Haitian people, for the return of peace, justice, and human dignity. Cadet also urged “diplomatic support: to encourage serious and coordinated international initiatives to put an end to the violence perpetrated by criminal gangs in Haiti,” Cadet said, as well as “intervention with international organizations: to call on the Dominican authorities, particularly the current president, to respect the fundamental rights of Haitians, even within the framework of a repatriation process.” Cadet was careful to say that churches do not contest the sovereignty of any state. “But we affirm that any act of repatriation must be carried out with respect, humanity, and Christian love,” said Cadet. “We sincerely hope that the World Council of Churches will hear our cry for help and join us in restoring hope to a broken but not abandoned people.” In November 2024, the people of Haiti, suffering under severe economic and political crises, were the focus of a World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee statement. “We pray for God’s compassion for the people of this troubled land, and an answer to their cries,” reads the text. ““Though burdened throughout its history by the legacy of colonialism, slavery, and recurrent occupations by the United States of America, Haiti has also been a beacon of freedom for those suffering these oppressions.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland