Le président Michel Martelly a été reçu par le pape François le lundi 24 février 2014 au Vatican.

Petit miracle à Rome, Martelly et Desras se parlent

Président Martelly et le pape François

Dans une restitution de la rencontre faite pour les journalistes, qui n’ont pu assister qu’à la partie protocolaire, très cordiale par ailleurs, ponctuée de sourires et d’échange de cadeaux, de la visite présidentielle au Saint-Père, le président Martelly a déclaré que « la politique, l’Eglise, Haïti et une potentielle visite du pape en Haïti » ont été les points forts des 20 minutes d’entretien en tête-à-tête des deux chefs d’Etat.Le président haïtien n’est pas entré dans les détails de ce qui a été discuté au Vatican. 

Le couple Martelly au Vatican 

Selon un communiqué du bureau de presse du Saint-Siège, le pape François et le président Michel Martelly «ont insisté sur l'impérative nécessité qu'il y a à poursuivre la reconstruction du pays, comme à encourager le dialogue entre les différentes forces vives, en faveur de la réconciliation et du bien public, à l'extérieur comme à l'intérieur. »

Selon la note de la diplomatie vaticane, « ces entretiens chaleureux ont permis aux parties de se féliciter de l'excellence de leurs rapports, mais aussi de souligner l'importante contribution que l'Eglise locale offre à Haïti, dans les domaines de l'éducation, de la santé et de l'assistance sociale. »

Vidéo de la visite de la dégation haïtienne au Vatican 

Après le Saint-Père, Michel Martelly s'était ensuite entretenu avec le cardinal Pietro Parolin, secrétaire d’Etat, et Mgr Dominique Mamberti, secrétaire pour les Relations avec les Etats.

Grâce au cardinal Langlois

Président Martelly au bureau du pape François 

Cette visite du président Martelly à Rome, la deuxième depuis le début de sa présidence –il avait été reçu par le pape Benoît XIV en 2012- s’inscrit dans le cadre de la création de monseigneur Chibly Langlois comme cardinal. Mgr Langlois, quelques semaines avant sa désignation, avait lancé un dialogue interhaïtien entre les forces politiques en conflit sur un certain nombre de sujets.

Si le cardinal n’a pas pris part aux discussions au Vatican, le président Michel Martelly avait intégré dans sa délégation le sénateur Dieuseul Simon Desras, président du Sénat, celui-là même qui avait refusé de signer le protocole d’accord avant le voyage vers Rome.

Le sénateur Desras saluant le pape François 

Le président Martelly, le seul qui a eu des entretiens privés avec le pape et les cardinaux, a présenté le sénateur Desras au pape François comme le reste de sa délégation. Le sénateur a pris quelques secondes pour parler au pape, plus que tous les autres membres de la délégation, à l’exception de la première dame.

Le grand absent de la visite a été le président de la Chambre des députés, Jacques Stevenson Thimoléon. Comme pour le dîner offert en l'honneur du cardinal Langlois samedi soir ou pour la messe de dimanche à la basilique St-Pierre, le président de la Chambre des députés a brillé par son absence.

Desras et Martelly, l’apaisement

 Détente  entre le président Martelly et le sénateur Desras 

Le petit miracle de ce week-end à Rome a été l’apaisement qui s'est installé dans les rapports entre le président Michel Martelly et le sénateur Dieuseul Simon Desras, président de l’Assemblée nationale. Au départ d’Haïti, les deux hommes étaient dans le même avion, mais s’étaient ignorés. Martelly partant pour Paris, Desras pour Rome directement, leurs chemins s’étaient séparés à New York.

Moment de bénédiction avant la réception  organisée en l'honneur du
 cardinal l Langlois à l'Ambassade  d'Haïti près du Vatican                        

Ils se sont retrouvés en Italie, et si les parlementaires du grand Corps voulaient au départ faire bande à part, ils ont dû se fondre dans la délégation d'Haïti conduite par le président de la République. Au consistoire, cérémonie de création du cardinal Langlois, comme à la fête donnée en l’honneur du nouveau cardinal, le président de la République et le président du Sénat étaient comme des chiens de faïence.Il a fallu une médiation du Nouvelliste et de Radio Caraïbes pour porter le cardinal, le sénateur et le président à faire une photo ensemble pour marquer le grand jour du cardinal, père du dialogue interhaïtien.

Proches parents du cardinal Langlois 

A la messe de dimanche, même scénario. Tout le monde était raide. Il a fallu la visite au pape pour que les deux hommes se parlent vraiment. Le président Michel Martelly a pu aussi pour la première fois, ce lundi, à Rome, parler à tous les sénateurs ensemble, avant de partir avec eux à pied le long de la Via Venetto, chercher un restaurant où l’exécutif et le législatif ont pu rompre le pain, partager un verre, faire fondre la glace.

L’avenir du dialogue

Interrogé par les journalistes haïtiens présents à Rome, le président Desras dit attendre les réactions de l’exécutif aux nouvelles preuves apportées par le Sénat au sujet des trois membres de la Cour supérieure des comptes et du contentieux administratif remis en question. « Nous n’étions pas tenus de le faire, mais nous voulons faire avancer le processus », a dit le sénateur Desras au Nouvelliste.

Le président Martelly, de son côté, annonce attendre son retour, les rapports de ses équipes techniques et sa propre évaluation des preuves du Sénat avant de se prononcer. 

Une vue de la salle où s'est déroulée la réception en l'honneur
du cardinal Langlois àprés son intronisation .                      

Au sujet de ses relations avec le sénateur Desras, le président a déclaré que leur séjour commun à Rome leur a permis de faire beaucoup d’échanges. « Je lui ai dit, devant les autres sénateurs, que trop de fois il annonce des avancées et fait des retraits ».

Le président Martelly a redit au micro des journalistes sa disponibilité. « Je vais tout faire pour créer l’ambiance, pour avancer, je ne vais pas me décourager. Il faut une collaboration entre les pouvoirs pour faire avancer Haïti, les affaires d’Haïti, je la cherche toujours et serai toujours disponible pour la trouver ».

Après ce point de presse, le président Michel Martelly a pris l’avion lundi soir pour Bruxelles où il doit rencontrer le roi des Belges, Philippe, le ministre-président de la Wallonie et de la fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Rudy Demotte, le président du Conseil européen, Hernan Van Rompuy, et la présidente du Sénat, la baronne Sabine de Bethume.

Source: Le Nouvelliste
Une adaptation de Herve Gilbert

Quelques photos émouvantes lors de l'intronisation du cardinal et pendant
la réception offerte à son honneur par l'Ambassade  d'Haiti à Rome

 

 

The bishop of “Les Cayes”, Chibly Langlois officially inducted cardinal

Available in French Version / Creole Version
A historical review of the implementation of Catholicism in Haiti

The new cardinal of Haïti, Chibly Langlois

Haiti , the second country after the United States to win its independence and had been at the forefront of anti-slavery and anti-colonial movements in the Western Hemisphere , is finally represented by its own cardinal in the consistory of the Vatican. A large Haitian delegation including the head of the Haitian State Michel Martelly, the President of the Senate Simon Desras , the authorities of the Catholic Church , politicians , relatives and friends of the new cardinal attended the enthronement which had taken place on Saturday February 22, 2014 at the Vatican. It’s a Historic day itself, after about 154 years of the presence of the Catholic Church in Haiti. The elevation of the Eminence Chibly Langlois made ​​ Haitians all abroad very proud, this pride is extending from Haiti into the Haitian diaspora.

Then, it is  an opportunity for us to highlight a historical review of the establishment of the Catholicism in Haiti throughout its journey that led to the cardinalate of Chibbly Langlois.

The explorer Christopher Columbus on his arrival at Hispaniola

Môle Saint Nicolas , historical junction of the "discovery" of the Caribbean on December 5th, 1492 is the first corner of Haiti who knew the sign of Christianity when  Christopher Colombus planted the cross, symbolizing the introduction of the Roman Catholic religion on the island. This discovery also marked the beginning of the colonization of America by the Europeans, which mission was made Columbus in the wake, a major player of the  great discoveries of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and one of the greatest sailors of all time.

We can write without fear of contradiction that the era of Christianity, the religion of the followers of Jesus Christ, has emerged in Haiti during the discovery of Columbus, in the Saint-Nicolas day, on  December 6, 1492,  when he landed with his men for the first time in the island then he named " Hispaniola " because of the resemblance of certain landscapes with Spain.

Concordat and the Memorandum of Agreement with the Holy See

The Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis during
 the enthronement  of Mgr.  Langlois .                                     

The history of the Concordat in Haiti goes back to the government of Jean-Pierre-Boyer, who came to power on March 29, 1818. Three years later , He politically and militarily united the two states of the island into one, without synchronizing or eliminating some thorny issues related to culture and ethnicity of the two groups of people inhabiting the island which were not  homogeneous. As the seat of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo led by Bishop  Mgr. Pedro Valera y Jiménez ,  who expressed vigorously his distaste against the new Haitian regime and had rejected the request from Boyer to transfer the seat of the Archdiocese to Port-au -Prince, in his refusal not to comply with this request later earned him exile. The relation of the government of Boyer would further deteriorate with the Catholic Religion then would later cause the overthrow of Boyer and the separation pf the two States in 1843.

In Haiti, the concordat of 1860  was adopted by President Nicolas Fabre  Geffrard  May 10, 1860, and the Senate approved it on  August 1^st of the same year.It was, however, not accepted or applauded by all Haitians for some reasons...

Cardinal Langlois receiving his certificate from Pope Francis

The Concordat of 1860 remained in full force until 1983, when President Jean-Claude Duvalier, was delivering a speech to welcome  Pope John Paul II during his visit in Haiti on March 9, 1982 ,had announced his intention to waive his rights concerning the treaty of 1860 to appoint bishops. Articles 4 and 5 were modified and the Memorandum of agreement dated August 8, 1984, then was  into effect. We must also noted that there was a prior agreement signed between the Holy See and the government of François Duvalier in 1966 after the vigorous reaction of the Vatican threatened to excommunicate the Haitian dictator Papa Doc , following the expulsion of two archbishops of Port -au- Prince : Mgr François Poirier and his successor ad interim , Augustin Remy,the first Haitian ordained Bishop.

Other expulsions took place under Duvalier regime, like the director of the "Petit Séminaire Collège Saint Martial", Father Etienne Grienenberger, August 17, 1959.

Organization of the Church in Haiti

The new haitian Cardinal  is greeting by the emeritus pope

The Catholic Church in Haiti is organized from  October 3, 1861 , by the erection of the Archidiocèse of Port-au-Prince and the dioceses of  Cap-Haïtien, Cayes, Gonaïves and Port-de-Paix , which was depended prior to the creation of a cardinal in Haiti to the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo  for the whole island of Hispaniola.

Since 2008, the Haitian church has ten dioceses with two ecclesiastical provinces seats respectively for Port -au- Prince and Cap-Haïtien. Each of these provinces, at its head, a Metropolitan Archbishop who is both bishop of his own diocese but also the first bishop of the province, and the coordinator of the work of the suffragan bishop ( also called diocesan bishop dependent of the metropolitan seat). 

Video of the Haitian delegation to the inauguration of Cardinal Langlois

The Church and the Government of Duvalier

President  Michel Martelly posing with
the new Cardinal Chibly Langlois. 

Came to power in 1957 following the elections of September 22, François Duvalier, has faced attacks and criticisms of the opponents of his regime in the early years of his presidency. Among those oponents, the Catholic bishops and superiors of some influential and affluent congregations as the Jesuits and  the Spiritans.

The decapitation of the Church due to the forced exile of the majority of bishops was a severe response of Duvalier. A reaction that tarnishes the Haitian government relations with the Holy See. In December 1965, Duvalier and the Holy See began negotiations for the reinvigoration of the Catholic Church in Haiti. The Concordat of 1860  remained in force, but a protocol was signed on  August 15, 1966 in Port -au- Prince, putting virtually an end to tensions in recent years.

Président Martelly,  Cardinal Langlois et Sénateur Desras

Duvalier had tried to keep the few advantages that the Haitian government obtained from the Concordat of 1860, which privilege entitling the Haitian government to appoint its bishops: Five Haitian Bishops were appointed and the first Haitian Bishop, then in exile, was allowed to return in Haiti. The Holy See obtained from the government's promise:  “a special protection to the Catholic Religion Apostolic Roman clergy including all his ministers with full freedom to exercise their sacerdotal duty"  and the withdrawal of the expulsion of Bishop Poirier.

Baby Doc abandons the privilege of appointing bishops ...

However in 1983, during the visit to Haiti of Pope Jean-Paul II, Jean Claude Duvalier renounced to this privilege  obtained by his father. This symbolic decision did not make any differences to the ecclesiastical level since the same policy of indigenization of Catholic clergy was current and accepted worldwide, then the government was no longer has the discretion to appoint bishops based  upon their political creed as Papa Doc  had wanted.

Cardinals in the government of the Church :

Originally, the cardinals in the Church of Rome assumed  the responsibility of a parish (called titubura ) that was used in some way , as a pivot ( Latin, cardo , cardinis = hinge ) to the life of the community . The Cardinals are the first collaborators of the Pope. Since the twelfth century , some are chosen out of Rome. This is the case for most of them now , even if they are scaterred, they all are  attached to a parish church in Rome.

The Cardinals are constituted  as a  College of Cardinals  which is divided into three levels described by canon 350 : the episcopal order , the priestly order, and the diaconal order. The names of these orders, from their story is not representative in according of the type of the sacrament of ordination received by their Member :

1 . The episcopal order , consisting of six cardinal bishops (including Cardinal Dean and Vice Dean, elected by their peers ; canon 352) , they are attached to a diocese suburbicarian ( Ostia, Velletri - Segni , Porto- Santa Rufina, Frascati , Palestrina, Albano , Sabina ) they no longer have the power of jurisdiction.

2 . The priestly order , consisting of cardinal priests , they are more numerous, they are attached to a church in Rome and its title.

3 . The deacons , composed of cardinals deacons whose cardinal proto -deacon , they are attached to a church deacon . Found in this order members who hold offices in the Curia or exempted from the diaconate .

Let’s remember that the Cardinals are bishops or priests at least , freely chosen by the Pope (canon 351.1 ) , it creates by publishing a decree before the College of Cardinals (canon 351.2 ) , the elected thereby become cardinal all the rights and duty which are attached to this function unless it is established in petto (canon 351.3 ) , in this case , he must wait for his public appointment.

Role of the College of Cardinals

Canon 349 defines the function of the College of Cardinals :

• In case of vacancy of the Apostolic Pope See( sede vacante ), the College of Cardinals is acting  by interim,  is conducting the election of the pope during the conclave by the cardinal electors ( under 80 years).

• The College of Cardinals (sede plena) is an advisory body to the service of the Pope. Canon 353.1 states that meets presbyteries of two kinds: ordinary or extraordinary:

• The ordinary consistory for serious ( but common ) or solemn affairs can take place with the  cardinals present in Rome , it may be public.

• The extraordinary consistory for " big business importances " , all the Cardinals are summoned to an extraordinary consistory (canon 353.3 ) as an advisory body and cannot be public.

• Individual Functions Cardinals

• Individually, the Cardinals are assisting the Pope " in the daily care of the whole Church " (canon 349). First  , there is Cardinals prefect  in charge of Congregations or presidents of other institutions, the age limit of their function is 75 years (canon 354 ; Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus is 5. ) . Other Cardinals are simply members of Congregations they cease their functions when they reach 80 years (Pastor Bonus is 3.1; . 5.2). All these cardinals necessarily staying in Rome, they are called the " curia Cardinals ." Finally there is some Cardinals for special assignments by the pope they represent. They are often called " special envoy " or " legate laetare ."

Conclusion

• What about the relationship between the College of Cardinals and the synod of bishops? It is the Pope who decides on the assembly for the treatment of a question, choices can be influenced first by a practical reason: the College of Cardinals may be convened as quickly and discreetly as a Synod of Bishops.

150 years of presence of the Brothers of Christian Instruction (FIC) Frères Instruction Chrétienne) in Haiti

We must say that the Catholic Church has exercised its influence in Haiti in various fields especially in Education.This education is provided by various religious or congregational religious orders. According to historical notes relating to the progress of the Catholic Church in Haiti for about 150 years, the presence of the Brothers of Christian Instruction was a known vector of this education through private schools known for the quality of training they transmit.

And we dare even say that generations of young people have benefited it greatly.

It was in 1864, shortly after the signing of the Concordat, when began officially the first religion in Haiti. At this time, it was youth volunteers aged around 16 and 18 years who have decided to leave their native land, France, spending sometimes two to three months at the sea before arriving in Haiti. No ways of communication, separated from their families, these young people left with the idea that they are going for life. Sometimes, shortly after their arrival in Haiti, some of them  died of yellow fever, by lack of food or the problem of acclimatization.

The 150 years of work of these courageous educators have contributed to the education of generations of Haitians, at the risk of repeating ourselves. "This is a hard legacy for us Haitians to manage. We have a responsibility to maintain the reputation of quality delivered by the FIC or (Brothers of Christian Instruction) in regard to the education imparted in our various schools. "

We must therefore admit that the Brothers of Christian Instruction had a remarkable record in Haiti in the field of education. "The 150 years of presence and their missionary activities also contributed to the development of the Church in Haiti, to arrive at a Church that can run by itself today with his cardinal in his head.

The elevation of Mgr Langlois to the rank of Cardinal

We welcome with great satisfaction the designation by Pope Francis of Bishop Chibly Longlois of “Les Cayes”, to the rank of Cardinal to the Holy See. This is the first time in the history of the Church, since the concordat of 1860 signed between the Haitian government  and the Universal Church, we have the privilege to enjoy such honor. It should also be noted that the Holy See was the first state to recognize the State of Haiti after its Independance

The elevation of Mgr Langlois as Cardinal is welcomed as a blessing for Haiti in a time when Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez of Dominican Republic is the catalyst for a sentence of striking statelessness over 200,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent, a measure rejected by the international community. There is no doubt that Haiti will now find a balance and a degree of independence on the island at the two Roman Catholic religious institutions existing on either side of the border.

According to Father Hans Alexander , the Permanent Secretary of the Epicospal Conference, contacted by Radio Kiskeya when the news broke out  declared why Mgr Langlois climbed to this high office and we quote “ Mgr Langlois  was honored for his commitment to the mission of the church and the teaching of catechism . "

Other observers believe that the nomination of Cardinal in Haiti is primarily a political reaction from the Vatican as to show support for the Haitian people in regard to the xenophobic tendencies of the Dominican Republic against Dominicans of Haitian descent. It may also be a strategic choice of a pope who realize that Catholicism is losing its grip on Haiti for the benefit of other religious movements younger and more dynamic .

What about the cleavage in the Haitian Church seems to have existed after the departure of Baby Doc Duvalier? Cleavage which gave rise to this small sector of the Church known as "Ti legliz " , some of whom are well known as followers of the theology of liberation, an ideology that seems to have lost its feathers with the passage of time. Will there be a significant connection between this group and the traditional sector of  the Church represented by the new cardinal? The Political dialogue " “interhaitian " undertaken under the auspices of Langlois , President of the Episcopal Conference, can we expect a chance to see a happy ending  when the Lavalas, movement born precisely from “Ti Legliz”  has left the table of this dialogue.

We must with this designation, in our opinion, think higher, stronger. Have reason to hope that Haiti, country stunted, bruised, debased, is and will be the true light that will guide the nations, as when it was aligning  in the time alongside the nations who fought for freedom. Welcome - the creation of Langlois as cardinal - a church dedicated to serving Rome and faithful Haitian, let us turn to a promising new horizon opens before our eyes.

In this difficult and turbulent period through Haiti,  the cardinalate of Langlois  is perhaps a chance and a hope for our country as well as the recent election of Dany Laferrière in the " Immortals" at the French Academy, a real hope for our country.

We can’t stop express our joy by letting rise in our soul a hymn of “Magnificat” to greet the influence of the Holy Spirit who inspired the Pope François to appoint within the College of Cardinals a member of " natif natal " of Haiti. 

--->> French Version / Creole Version

Originally written in french  by Herve Gilbert herve.gilbert@gmail.com

Translation :H Gilbert

Nelson Mandela leaves $4 million estate to Family, Staff, ANC

Graça Machel

The wife of South Africa's  first black president is entitled to half of his estate, with the rest shared out among various family members, personal staff, schools and the ruling ANC.The will was read out two months after the death in December of the anti-apartheid icon at the age of 95.
Executor Dikgang Moseneke, the deputy head of South Africa's Constitutional Court, said the reading had been "charged with emotion" but no one had yet contested it.

Lawyers for Mandela revealed that his third wife Graca Machel would likely waive her right to 50 percent of the estate, settling for four properties in her native Mozambique as well as cars, art work, jewellery and other assets.

WinnieMandela

His estranged second wife Winnie Madikizela–Mandela was not named as a beneficiary in a summary of the will.

Royalties from his books and other projects, as well as his homes, will be split between family members, who have long bickered over the spoils of his legacy.

Mandela's upscale home in Houghton, Johannesburg where he died on December 5 will be used by the family of his deceased son Makgatho -- including grandson and local clan chief Mandla Mandela.

Nelson Mandela with his third wife Graca Machel

"It is my wish that it should also serve as a place of gathering of the Mandela  and Machel family in order to maintain its unity long after death," the former elder statesman wrote.

Even before his death, Mandela's children and grandchildren frequently clashed over who leads the family and who should benefit from his investments.

Several have already put the Mandela brand behind commercial projects including wine, clothing, artwork, a social network and a reality television show.

Nelson Mandela surrounded by grandchildren 

According to the will, which was first written in 2004, Mandela's children each received $300,000 in loans during his lifetime and will have the debt scrapped if it has not been repaid.

Mandela's other bequests reflected his political life and his work championing education.

"He wanted to make it clear that what he believed in his life, or during his life, was transmitted to the country if not the world at large," said George Bizos, one of the executors who also represented Mandela at his treason trial.

Nelson Mandela surrounded by family

Mandela gave around $4,500 each to members of staff, including long-time personal aide Zelda la Grange.

The will also provides around $9,000 each for Wits and Fort Hare universities in South Africa, and the same amount to three other schools.

The African National Congress, which Mandela led to victory in the first democratic elections in 1994, could receive between 10 and 30 percent of his royalties.

The cash will be used specifically to promote "policies and principles of reconciliation amongst the people of South Africa".

The ANC -- which is struggling amid allegations of corruption and incompetence -- welcomed the news as a sign of Mandela's "unwavering love for his people and their organisation, the ANC".

It is unclear if the will can prevent battles over who controls the Mandela name, which have seen family remains exhumed and reinterred and exhumed and reinterred again.

Makaziwe Mandela

His eldest daughter Makaziwe reportedly had the locks changed on Mandela's rural home after his death to exclude his eldest grandson Mandla.

Makaziwe and Mandla both lay claim to lead the family as Mandela left no instructions in his will about who should take up his mantle.

Mandla Mandela

Three executors will now be tasked with winding up the estate and carrying out Mandela's wishes.

They are Bizos; Moseneke, the deputy head of the Constitutional Court who spent years with Mandela imprisoned on Robben Island; and Themba Sangoni, the head judge in Mandela's home province the Eastern Cape.

Mandela became South Africa's first black president after the first all-race elections in 1994 and his politics of forgiveness and reconciliation made him a global peace icon.

He died on December 5 and was buried 10 days later in his rural boyhood home of Qunu after a state memorial service  attended by dignitaries  from around the world.

An adaptation of HCC