Haiti religious leaders demand release of kidnapped nuns

In a strongly worded letter released Monday, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince pleads for the release of six nuns kidnapped last week and calls on the Haitian government to crack down on gang violence.

In a letter, the archdiocese and the Haitian Conference of the Religious said Haitians were tired of the armed group's “reign of terror” and called on government officials to protect the people and their property.

“The Church has repeatedly condemned silence, an attitude that shows contempt for human suffering,” the letter said.

Haitian gangs have been attacking communities for days, and residents fear violence will escalate.

Religious leaders said they were heartbroken to see no serious response for more than two years to what they called the kidnapping scourge. They said the ongoing violence was “plunging the country into an increasingly chaotic and chaotic situation” and called for the unconditional and safe release of the abducted nuns.

The nun and two others were on a bus in Port-au-Prince when they were kidnapped last Friday. No one has publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Six nuns kidnapped in gang-controlled Haiti

On Sunday, Pope Francis begged for their release. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis said he had learned of the news of the kidnappings with sadness: “With fervent desire for their release, I wish to support the social harmony of this country.'' Please pray and ask for this.” All to stop the violence that causes so much suffering to our beloved people. ”

Gangs were responsible for nearly 2,500 kidnappings last year, an increase of more than 80% from the previous year, according to United Nations figures. With fewer than 10,000 police officers active at any one time in a country of more than 11 million people, the police force remains overwhelmed and underfunded.