“It broke my heart to know the extent of the devastation, the suffering, the deaths and the despair left behind by the earthquake,” Fr Chávez has written as with the members of the Council he followed with apprehension the unfolding of the situation from the beginning. “My heart is with the confreres of the Vice Province of Haiti, and with the whole Salesian Family, starting with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the youngsters and all the dear Haitian people.”
“I ask you to let them know of my closeness and also that of the General Council and of the whole Congregation which gathers around you in sharing your pain and your hope.”
Assuring them of the full availability and commitment of the Department for the Missions and the Salesian Mission Offices Fr Chávez invites the Salesians of Haiti to work for the benefit of the others: “Now is the time to roll up our sleeves, as Don Bosco did with the boys of the Valdocco Oratory and help those who have most need. It is right to organise assistance to show the closeness of God and to bring hope.”
The Rector Major concludes his message with the hope and prayer that the pupils of the Port-Au-Prince school of whom we have had no further information, have been rescued.
Published 14/01/2010
