From the March 5th letter of Father Tulio Cordero, Visitor of the Province of Puerto Rico, to which Haiti belongs.
It has been some time since we last communicated with you and I would like to update you on the events that occurring in our Province, especially in the region of Haiti. At the same time we are mindful of our brothers and sisters in Chile, especially the confreres and all the members of the Vincentian Family who are there. We continually pray for all of them.
With regard to Haiti, even though the tremors continue and people are still afraid, yet calmness and interior peace is returning little by little. In my last two trips there I have noticed a difference in the spirit of the confreres and the Daughters of Charity whom I always visit. Thanks to God all are well and collaborating to alleviate the most urgent needs of the people and at the same time attempting to resolve their own problems. As you already know, the Daughters were more affected than we were (especially in regard to their buildings) but they are working constantly in order to recover from this tragedy. We lost a part of the seminary which because of the large cracks is unable to be utilized. As soon as we are able to we will tear down that part of the structure and then rebuild. We also lost part of the school La Familia. There is neither electricity nor water in the area where our confreres are living.
On the property of the school La Familia a clinic is being built in which surgeries, deliveries of new born, and attention is being given to those who were wounded and/or affected by the earthquake. The clinic is being directed by an Association of Doctors from Puerto Rico and Catholic Charities of Puerto Rico. We believe that the construction of the clinic will be completed in about two or three months. Our Mission House has been converted into a center of operations to assist various areas of Port-au-Prince. Every day, at every hour of the day, there is much activity in our house.
Last Wednesday, March 3rd, I met with our Haitian confreres in our seminary in Tabarre and there we analyzed the situation and planned several matters. I also proposed to them that they take turns in taking some vacation days in the Dominican Republic. While they are able to rest there some other confreres will take their place in Haiti.
With regard to the assistance that we have received: Catholic Charities in Puerto Rico donated two pick-up trucks to transport food, medicine and other materials; an ambulance has also been donated to our clinic. In a few days we are hoping to continue to receive tents from Spain and some other places.
Finally I want to tell you that we have sent Father Domond Jacmel $10,000 and we hope to be in communication with him to see in what other ways we can assist him.
On the other hand we have identified an area within the territory of our parish of the Miraculous Medal, who pastor is Father jean Yves Louis Charles … this area is called Caradeux and the earthquake caused great destruction there. There we will build a new church or chapel, a cooperative, houses, etc. … all of this will be done with the help of Catholic Charities of Puerto Rico and other assistance that we receive. The work of reconstruction in Haiti has begun and the energy and assistance involved in all of this is very great. There is still lacking organization and effectiveness in this process.
I hope to communicate again with you soon. Feel free to ask me any question and raise any concern that you have about the situation in Haiti and the work that we are doing there.
God, merciful Father, you have sent your Son as savior of the world and evangelizer of the poor. You have chosen us to announce the Good News to the poor, our lords and masters. We give you thanks for having called us to this vocation as Vincentian missionaries.
Archbishop Tadeusz Gocłowski CM, former Archbishop of Gdansk, has suffered a stroke. We have confirmed this information from Superior of Vincentian Parish of Pentecost in Sopot, Fr. Jerzy Berdychowski CM. Bishop’s health is in serious but stable condition.
He was admitted to University of Gdansk Medical Center on Sunday, March 7 and remains on neurological ward there. Doctors say the life of Archbishop is not in danger. However he will stay in hospital for longer diagnosis and treatment. Doctors assured, that Msgr Goclowski is under excellent care and all the staff in the hospital is highly qualified and experienced in treating such health issues.
Fr. Carlos Rivera wrote to Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay CM. He tells about situation and willingness of missionaries to help those in need. He also indicates how, in practical way, we can collaborate in this help.
Dear Fr. Gregory,
Fraternal greeting from the stricken country,
As hours and days passed, magnitude of the tragedy is more clear. There are 720 dead for now, but this figure is not stalled and seems to change as many people are still missing. There places which cannot be reached yet, and thus cannot get aid.
We are deploying our actions in places where we are, because our houses are located in all affected areas. Although we are not present in places known from the news, perhaps for this reason we can deem it is better to help those who are also suffering but who are not appearing in TV and are vulnerable to be forgotten.
In regard to material losses we ourselves have suffered, yesterday an initial survey of our church in Valparaiso was made. It was recommended to keep it closed. We do not have, however, absolute certainty of how severe damages are. We are looking forward for help to evaluate the Church of Alameda in Santiago and St. Justin House, where new students should be welcomed on 14th but probably will be sent to Santiago.
In your previous letter, you asked if we have organized some fundraising. After making some inquiries, we think, those who want to help (as for now, the primary aim is to provide relief to the victims) , it will the best to do it through Treasurer General in the Curia who could transfer the funds in the way we would indicate.
Dear Father, we are very grateful for your concern and the concern of so many confreres who have contacted us in recent days. Several of them have offered us their help and now we are communicating to set the best way to do it.
Receive a fraternal embrace.
Fr Carlos Rivera CM
Visitor
