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A historical review of the implementation of Catholicism in Haiti
A historical review of the implementation of Catholicism in Haiti
.jpg) |
| 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
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| 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 1st of the same year.It was, however, not accepted or applauded by all Haitians for some reasons...
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.
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| Cardinal Langlois receiving his certificate from Pope Francis |
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
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| 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
.jpg) |
| 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.
.JPG) |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Translation :H Gilbert
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