Our Brother’s Keeper
July 13, 2021
Prayers for Haiti after assassination of president
July 13, 2021

Being sorry for Haiti must become deeds of justice and love – Bishop Harvey

“God weeps over His Haitian people.” So said Bishop Clyde Harvey of St George’s-in-Grenada as he publicly commented on the July 7 assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse during a Mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grenada.

The bishop said he chose the opening chant, David Rudder’s ‘Haiti, I’m Sorry’ because it was apt and echoed the sentiments of many in the region.

He opined that God too, is saying this refrain. “And He wants us to feel the anguish and the pain that is in the heart of God, as God sees what is going on in that land today.”

Bishop Harvey, in a brief video clip shared by Good News Catholic Communications said that while he does not comprehend the assassination of President Moïse, “maybe it might be something that will turn out for the good.”

Notwithstanding, he added, Haitian people continue to suffer, and persons at the “highest levels” continue to refuse to act for justice and peace in the spirit of love.

It is not enough to say, “Haiti, I’m sorry”. All are called to “share” in the weeping. Sorry, Bishop Harvey emphasised, must turn to deeds of justice and love where possible.

The Bishop then encouraged all to tell God sorry, sorry in Haiti’s name, sorry for our own sins, sorry for the times we laughed at Haitian people, and for the times we have suggested they’re involved in “all kinds of things”.

“That is our judgement. But we dare to say that what God sees are His children in their pain and God weeps,” Bishop Harvey said. —KJ.