Pray for the People of Haiti

The earthquake in Haiti just might turn out to be the most disastrous event in the Americas in recent memory. As of today, nobody knows how many people have perished or the full extent of the damage. The latest estimate I've heard is perhaps 200,000 deaths, an estimate that could well be on the low side. The almost unbelievable devastation, and the simple fact that Haiti's infrastructure was remarkably primitive to begin with, will make any effort to rescue survivors that much more difficult. Although aid is beginning to pour into the country, it still took valuable time to get the airport up and running 7x24. Thanks to the US Air Force for its quick response in setting up an air traffic control system, no simple task. The real problem, though, will be getting the aid to those who need it. Lacking drinkable water, a large number of survivors could literally die of thirst or disease before essential water and food can be distributed.

Apparently there were upwards of 45,000 Americans in Haiti at the time of the quake and only a small percentage have been located or contacted. I suspect it could be weeks before all are accounted for. In the aftermath, of course, the number of Americans on the ground will increase dramatically. I heard today that the the 82nd Airborne is arriving not only to assist in the distribution of emergency aid, but also to provide some semblance of security. It seem the Haitian police and other emergency services are virtually non-existent.

Archbishop Joseph Miot, the archbishop of Port-au-Prince, was killed in the quake, falling from a balcony of his destroyed residence. The archbishop was apparently a well-loved shepherd, a humble man who was close to the poor among his people. According to the Apostolic Nuncio, not only the cathedral, but all of the major churches and seminaries in Port-au-Prince were completely destroyed. Here's a link to a story via Catholic News Service: Haitian Archbishop Killed in Quake. The above photo shows the archbishop celebrating Mass with teachers and schoolchildren.

I saw that TV evangelist Pat Robertson made a rather unusual comment regarding the disaster in Haiti: "They were under the heel of the French ... and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French'." Robertson continued: "True story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' They kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got themselves free. Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."

I won't spend much time on what Robertson had to say (click here to view the video of his comments), but probably the best commentary on the subject is that by Father Dwight Longenecker on his blog, Standing On My Head.

And then there were the even more bizarre comments by actor Danny Glover, who seems to believe the earthquake in Haiti was the result of global warming and climate change: “When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response, this is what happens, you know what I’m sayin’?” Should you feel the need, you can hear his complete comments here: Danny Glover and Haiti. I don't think anything else need be said. (The above photo show Mr. Glover with his friend, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.)

This sort of strangeness aside, the Haitian people are in dire straits. They need our help and I would suggest sending your financial contribution directly to Catholic Relief Services, one of the key agencies already on site in Haiti. Click here to donate. And, most importantly, the people of Haiti need our prayers. They have suffered so much, and not just from natural disasters, but also from a series of corrupt and oppressive governments. Ask God to give them the strength to withstand this calamity and to bring good from this evil.

God's peace...