Amid anti-Haitian assaults by the Republican Social gathering, significantly by former US President Donald J. Trump and his Vice-Presidential operating mate JD Vance, the Episcopal Diocese of New York gathered final Wednesday to reaffirm its practically decade-long relationship with Haiti via the New York Haiti Mission.
The Episcopal Diocese of New York instructed Caribbean Life over the weekend that the assembly, at Bishop Matthew Heyd’s residence on the Cathedral Shut in Manhattan, got here simply days after “troubling misinformation about Haitian immigrants surfaced, perpetuated by political figures.”
The Cathedral Shut is the world instantly round a cathedral, generally extending for 100 meters or extra from the primary cathedral constructing. The Episcopal Diocese of New York is positioned at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025.
The New York Haiti Mission, with help from 19 parishes, sustains St. Luke’s Episcopal Faculty and Church in rural Martel, Haiti, providing “a significant and protected haven for households fleeing violence within the capital,” the Diocese of New York stated.
Haitian-born Priest Fr. Jean Quatorze, who misplaced his residence to gang violence, stated: “I constructed my home in a metropolis referred to as Croix de Bouquets. I misplaced my home as a result of a gang lives in it now.
“Many households in Haiti are actually in the identical state of affairs,” stated the priest-in-charge, Church of the Divine Love, positioned in Montrose, NY (Westchester County). “Now, they need to go away Haiti not as a result of they don’t love Haiti however as a result of they’re on the lookout for a protected place to remain.
“We hear the declaration of the previous US President saying we eat canine. It’s not true,” Fr. Quatorze confused. “We have now good meals there. In the long run, we nonetheless have hope. If God helps, we are going to survive.
“As a Haitian, it’s actually irritating the declaration, the assertion of the previous president of the USA about Haitian individuals, saying that they’re consuming canine,” Fr. Quatorze continued. “I feel this declaration has a huge impact on our Haitian neighborhood.”
Bishop Heyd emphasised, “The Haitian neighborhood is crucial to New York. We’re stronger collectively, and our communities replicate that. We stand in solidarity with these damage by current lies. Collectively, we are going to persist.
“One factor we are saying is to respect the dignity of each human being,” he added. “So, I hope that every one will take part a marketing campaign the place we study to respect the dignity, to see the imago dei, the picture of God, in each, and know that we’re all created by one God, and we’re one within the Lord.”
Dr. Pierre-Andre H. Duvert, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, an historic Episcopal church in Forest Hills, Queens, stated that he finds the statements being made by Trump “and his pals” are “repulsive and insulting and in addition dehumanizing.
“I’m not damage, per se, however insulted, and I really feel unhappy that our nation, the US, would regard such people as leaders,” Dr. Duvert stated. “It says a fantastic deal about who we’re as a nation.
“Within the Anglican Church, we discuss respecting the dignity of each human being. I hope we are going to study to affix in a marketing campaign the place we study to respect the dignity–see the picture of God–in each, and know we’re all created by one God,” he added.
Rev. Nathanael Saint-Pierre, missioner for neighborhood improvement at St. James Fordham, 2500 Jerome Ave., Bronx, stated: “Some individuals don’t notice how speech has energy. We are able to construct individuals up the identical we will actually damage individuals; and, after we alienate, irrespective of the group, we aren’t Christian.
“It’s at all times harmful to field a gaggle of individuals in such a damaging method,” he stated. “My hope is that different individuals will stand with us to say it is a lie, to say that we’re price greater than that.
“Haitians should not devilish creatures that come to destroy,” stated the Haitian priest. “We’re a part of build up America and a part of this American dream.”
Rev. Margarette Dimanche, rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, 4967 Broadway, on the nook of Isham Avenue within the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan, additionally shared about the necessity to present solidarity and help the Haitian neighborhood.
“As a Haitian priest working in the USA, I’m deeply saddened and troubled by the disparaging remarks about Haitian migrants residing in Springfield, Ohio,” she stated. “Such feedback are hurtful and don’t replicate the true spirit of our neighborhood.
“I stand in solidarity with all my Haitian sisters and brothers affected by these phrases, and I’ll proceed to advocate for his or her dignity and respect,” Rev. Dimanche added. “It is very important promote compassion and unity within the face of such divisive rhetoric. I need additionally to encourage those that have the correct to vote to make use of that energy in order that they are often a part of the change that they need to see on this nation.”
Rev. Sam Owen, director, New York Haiti Mission, stated: “We need to improve, develop and lengthen our companies to the individuals of Martel, and, hopefully, supply a commerce college and a pc lab that permits entry to web for the youngsters on the college.
“The primary factor that Fr. Phanord (priest-in-charge at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Faculty in Martel, Haiti) requested us to do is to hope for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Faculty, and the individuals of Haiti,” he added. “And I’d add, pray for Fr. Phanord, too. The circumstances there are very tough.”
The occasion additionally featured a fundraiser for the New York Haiti Mission to assist present kids’s furnishings for a brand new kindergarten constructing.
Be taught extra concerning the New York Haiti Mission right here: https://www.newyorkhaitiproject.org/
