A Catholic bishop was wounded in an explosion in Haiti’s capital, marking the latest act of violence in a spiral that has been plaguing the Caribbean country for years. Source: Crux.
On Monday, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Haiti announced that Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne had been injured “by an explosion which reached the house where he was staying” while he was visiting the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
“For the moment, Bishop Dumas’ health is stable. We entrust him to your fervent prayers for a speedy recovery,” the statement said, signed by vice permanent secretary of the conference, Fr Jean Rodney Brevil.
The explosion was the latest in a wave of violent attacks and kidnappings that have plagued Haiti for the past three years, since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Mr Moise, who faced broad political opposition, made the controversial decision to extend his tenure for one year, which led to mass upheaval and protests.
His assassination sparked a widespread political crisis, followed shortly by the outbreak of gang violence in many parts of the country, and mass protests in 2022 over rising energy prices and an increased cost of living.
It is estimated that about three-quarters of Port-au-Prince is dominated by criminal groups and organisations. Church personnel have regularly found themselves targets of violent attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
In a statement last month, the country’s bishops asked God to intervene, and called on national authorities to “to put an immediate end to the suffering of the people”.
FULL STORY
Violence in Haiti escalates as bishop wounded in explosion (By Elise Ann Allen, Crux)
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