Archive image of Haitian Presdent Jovenel Moïse and First Lady Martine Moïse. Photo: Vatican News Pope offers condolences after assassination of Haiti’s president
In a telegram addressed to the Apostolic Nuncio in Haiti, Pope Francis said “Upon hearing the news of the heinous assassination of His Excellency Mr Jovenel Moïse, President of Haiti,” he offers his condolences “to the Haitian people and to his wife, who was also seriously wounded and whose life he commends to God”.
The 53-year-old Mr Moïse was fatally shot and his wife was injured when attackers stormed their home early last Wednesday. First Lady Martine Moïse has been flown to Florida where she is said to be in a critical but stable condition and is receiving treatment.
In the telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, the Holy Father said he’s praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Expressing his sadness he condemned “all forms of violence as a means of resolving crises and conflicts,” wishing for the Haitian people “a future of fraternal harmony, solidarity and prosperity”.
The Catholic Bishops of Haiti have also condemned the assassination describing it as despicable and unacceptable.
Pope offers condolences after assassination of Haiti’s president
l In a telegram addressed to the Apostolic Nuncio in Haiti, Pope Francis said “Upon hearing the news of the heinous assassination of His Excellency Mr Jovenel Moïse, President of Haiti,” he offers his condolences “to the Haitian people and to his wife, who was also seriously wounded and whose life he commends to God”.
The 53-year-old Mr Moïse was fatally shot and his wife was injured when attackers stormed their home early last Wednesday. First Lady Martine Moïse has been flown to Florida where she is said to be in a critical but stable condition and is receiving treatment.
In the telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, the Holy Father said he’s praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Expressing his sadness he condemned “all forms of violence as a means of resolving crises and conflicts,” wishing for the Haitian people “a future of fraternal harmony, solidarity and prosperity”.
The Catholic Bishops of Haiti have also condemned the assassination describing it as despicable and unacceptable.
Pope Francis names Jesuit cardinal to key synod on synodality position
Pope Francis last Thursday named the Jesuit Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich as the relator general of the 2023 synod on synodality.
Cardinal Hollerich, the president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), will help to oversee the gathering of the world’s bishops in Rome.
The 62-year-old cardinal has served as archbishop of Luxembourg since 2011. His archdiocese covers the whole Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest countries, bordering Belgium, France, and Germany.
He thanked Pope Francis for the new appointment July 8 via his Twitter account.
As relator general, Cardinal Hollerich will take part in the meetings of the Ordinary Council of Preparation for the upcoming synod, formally known as the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Cardinal Hollerich will be expected to present a report at the start of the assembly in October 2023, introducing the theme of synodality. He will also outline the synod’s working document and the points that participants are due to discuss.
He will also preside over the preparation of the synod’s final document, which is submitted to participants for approval.
Holy See to UN: Children should not be ‘collateral victims’ of violence against women
The Holy See’s delegation at the United Nations in Geneva told the Human Rights Council that children conceived due to sexual violence should not be made “collateral victims” through abortion.
“The Holy See wishes to reaffirm the rights and dignity of children conceived as a result of sexual violence, beginning with their right to life,” the delegation’s statement said.
“These children should not become the collateral victims of the abhorrent violence perpetrated against women,” it added. “Rather, they need to be supported and loved.”
The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva presented the statement June 28, during the 47th regular session of the Human Rights Council, which was held through July 13.
The Holy See’s statement was a response to a report by the special rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.