The following message from CRC concerning religious in Haiti is being forwarded to all CMSM Major Superiors, Councilors, and J & P Directors by T. Michael McNulty, SJ, CMSM Director of the Office of Justice and Peace:

-------- Original Message --------
From: CRC [mailto:crc@crc-canada.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 3:55 PM
To: CRC
Subject: Latest Information Received Concerning the Situation in Haiti

Greetings,

For your information, attached and below please find the latest information we received concerning the situation of women and men religious in Haiti. Although some of the attached documents are in French, we thought that it may interest some of you.

• The Soeurs de Charité de St. Louis have learned that, contrary to what they had heard and read, the Collège de Bourdon is standing. It has fissures, probably throughout the building, but it is still standing. The residence is inhabitable and the sisters are sleeping outside. But all of the sisters in Port au Prince and elsewhere are safe and sound. The material damage, however, is extensive, particularly in Cotes de Fer.

• The Marianistes have two formation houses in Delmas. One has completely collapsed; the other was partially destroyed by the debris of a neighbouring building, which is still threatening to collapse. Luckily, the 16 people who were living in these two buildings are alive and well. Both houses being inhabitable, they have chosen to disperse for the time being.

• The Sisters of Providence have 11 sisters present in Haiti, 10 of which are in Port au Prince. They have 2 residences. All their sisters are safe and sound. One of the houses is a complete loss, the other has major damage and its safety is not yet validated, a good portion of it was destroyed. The sisters are sleeping on mattresses outside and have placed most of their personal belongings in their car. According to recent communications, they still had some food and clean water, and an electricity generator in one of the houses. There is still the possibility of communication via phone with the one house still standing.  One of the Haitian sisters has lost family members. Family members are living with the sisters under the stars. The sisters are keeping busy helping the wounded.

• The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto have heard from Sister Mary Alban, csj. She is unhurt.

• The Soeurs de St-Paul-de-Chartres have received recent news from their sisters at 31 Delmas, Haiti. They are safe and sound, as are the youths from their college. The college is a total loss, and the main house and the noviciate were damaged to the point of being inhabitable. The sisters have been welcomed by the brothers of the Christian Schools. They hope to rebuild in order to maintain the presence of the Sisters among the people of Haiti.

Sr. Annette Noël, s.p.

CRC Executive Director

Attachments [online soon at CMSM]: 

Villa Manrèse - Before and After (PDF) * Diaporame Haiti - Before and After (PDF)