January 8, 2025
On Sunday, January 5, 2025, during the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours Church in Fragneau-Ville, Delmas 75, became the scene of an unbearable act of violence. Mr. Robenson Rendel, a dedicated parishioner, was murdered by armed men as he prepared to attend Sunday Mass. This barbaric act, committed in a sacred place, has profoundly shocked the community and provoked a strong response from the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince.
In an official statement, the Archdiocese strongly condemned this heinous crime, noting that it adds to an already too-long list of violent acts tearing the country apart. Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor, Metropolitan Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, expressed his deepest sympathies to the victim’s family, friends, and the faithful of the Fragneau-Ville parish, assuring them of his prayers and spiritual support.
The Archdiocese referenced Pope Francis’ message from January 1, 2025: “Peace is a responsibility that rests upon us all.” It issued an urgent appeal to state authorities, the Haitian National Police, the Armed Forces, and all citizens to resolutely commit to the path of peace, harmony, and respect for human life. “Our country is on the brink,” the statement emphasized, urging everyone to reject chaos and anarchy.
In this time of great distress, the Church calls on Haitians to follow the example of the Magi, who, after encountering the Infant Jesus, chose another path. “Let us, Haitians, take a new path—the path of peace and fraternity,” the Archdiocese declared, urging a collective awakening for the good of all.
The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince reaffirms its commitment to working for peace and justice while praying for the repose of Robenson Rendel’s soul and for all victims of violence. It calls for widespread mobilization to prevent such acts from happening again and to allow the light of hope to shine once more in Haiti.