Archbishop Miot Killed in Massive Earthquake in Haiti; Thousands Feared Dead

Aid worker: 'Most horrific thing I've ever seen' Catholics of Haiti now also grieve the loss of a beloved Archbishop. Pope calls for massive show of solidarity.

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (Catholic Online) - Pope Benedict XVI called for a show of massive solidarity around the world for the victims of what he referred to as the "devastating earthquake, which resulted in serious loss of human life, a great number of homeless and missing, and enormous material damage."

The Pope called all people to respond in an impassioned plea, "I appeal to the generosity of everyone, so that our brothers and sisters receive our concrete solidarity and the effective support of the international community in this moment of need and suffering."

He assured the faithful that the global network of the Catholic Church's charity organizations have already sprung into action. In fact, they have unleashed a massive display of Charity in action, providing a living witness of the love of Christ to those most in need.

The Pope also called for a massive outpouring of prayer, imploring the faithful: "I invite everyone to join in my prayer to the Lord for the victims of this catastrophe and for those who are mourning their loss. I assure my spiritual closeness to people who have lost their homes and to all those affected in various ways by this calamity, imploring from God consolation and relief of their suffering."

The Catholics in Haiti also grieve the loss of a Shepherd, another victim of the earthquake. Father Pierre Le Beller of the Saint Jacques Missionary Center in western France reports that the lifeless body of Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, was found in the ruins of the offices of the archdiocese office.

The beloved Bishop was only 63 years old. Reports indicate that he was only one of many who were killed as Churches and Church related buildings collapsed under the devastation of the worst quake to hit this Nation in 200 years. The reports from inside the Nation indicate that bodies are being piled in the streets and there seems to be no end in sight. Massive relief efforts from the United States and many other Nations are underway.

The official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano reported on its front page that "The lifeless body of Archbishop Joseph Miot of Port-au-Prince was found this morning under the rubble of the archbishops' residence." The missionary news service of the Holy See FIDES reports that the Archbishop is certainly not the only cleric or religious to be killed. The Apostolic Nuncio for the Nation, Archbishop Bernardito Auza indicated that "Port-au-Prince is completely devastated. The cathedral and the archbishop's residence, all the big churches, all the seminaries are reduced to rubble."

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This horrible earthquake comes on the heels of the Nation's other devastating disaster, the seismic poverty which has shaken its residents for so many years. Conservative estimates indicate that 65% of the population of Haiti lives below the poverty line. The infant mortality rate is almost 100 per 1,000.

Finally, the Island has suffered under the oppressive boot of poor leadership and serious corruption in office. This corruption has resulted in serial violations of fundamental human rights and intense oppression. This oppression, along with the dire poverty, has sent hundreds of refuges fleeing to safe harbor in other Nations. Haiti's Caribbean neighbors only recently requested UN intervention to stave off a serious crisis. That was before this earthquake.

As the reports continue to pour in concerning the scope of the effects of this massive earthquake, fears grow that the instability it is causing may trigger continued political and social upheaval. We urge all of our readers to pray for the people of this Nation which seems to face a continuing spiral of suffering.We also encourage all of our readers to join the millions who are reaching out to help.

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