In a note, Bishop Launay Saturné, Bishop of the Diocese of Jacmel and President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti reacted strongly on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Haiti, to the assassination Thursday in Port-au-Prince of the Reverend Father Joseph Simoly https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23058-haiti-flash-a-priest-shot-dead-in-petion-ville.html

Text by Mgr. Launay Saturné :

"Us, the Catholic Bishops of Haiti, have learned with great consternation, this Thursday, December 21, 2017, the brutal death of the Reverend Father Joseph Simoly cowardly assassinated in Port-au-Prince.

As we prepare to celebrate in faith and joy the solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, feast of Life, Love and Peace, a new course in insecurity, the impunity, horror, barbarity, hatred and violence has just been crossed. This terrible news is unfortunately added to a series of violence that, these days, have already shaken us, causing great concern and immense grief in the Haitian population We denounce with all our strength and condemn in the most vigorous way this horrible act, this absurd violence. Faced with this barbarous murder that raises our indignation, we declare that we can never tolerate this type of act in violation of the divine law 'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20, 13, Matthew 19, 18). To kill is inhuman. Life is sacred.

We associate ourselves with the grief of the family of the Reverend Father Joseph Simoly, of the whole Church that this mourning plunges into consternation and affliction. We are particularly close and supportive of the diocese of Father Simoly, the diocese of Hinche, of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, where he has been ministering for the last few years. We assure you of our prayers for the repose of his soul, a zealous herald of the Good News, a priest of praise and worship. We will not fail to pray for the conversion of his killers who committed this villainous crime.

The fight against insecurity and violence must continue. We must not give up. We expect, from the judicial authorities, that light be made as soon as possible on this assassination and that concrete measures are taken to protect life and secure all Haitian citizens and foreigners living in the country.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the Most Reverend Father Joseph Simoly had a pious devotion, come and welcome him and introduce him to his Son whom he served until his tragic death !"

HL/ HaitiLibre