* Original message posted in: VATICAN.
* Crossposted in: IN_CATHOLIC.

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE

TWENTY-FIRST YEAR - N. 6
ENGLISH
TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY 2011

SUMMARY:

- President "Cor Unum" in Haiti for Earthquake Anniversary

___________________________________________________________

PRESIDENT "COR UNUM" IN HAITI FOR EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY

VATICAN CITY, 11 JAN 2011 (VIS) - A year after the earthquake which
devastated Haiti on 12 January 2010 leaving 250,000 people dead and more
than a million homeless, Benedict XVI has sent Cardinal Robert Sarah,
president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", who will bring a Message
from the Pope and economic aid to the people so gravely afflicted twelve
months ago, according to a communique released by "Cor Unum".

  The cardinal arrived in Haiti yesterday when he visited a number of
religious communities in Leogane: the Sisters of Christ the King whose
hospital was destroyed, the "Petites Soeurs de Sainte-Therese de l'Enfant
Jesus" who run a clinic for people suffering from AIDS and tuberculosis, and
the "Compagnes de Jesus" who had an old people's home and a
school destroyed
by the quake. During the course of the day Cardinal Sarah laid the
cornerstone of the "Ecole Notre Dame des Anges". In the Holy Father's name,
he also brought concrete support in the form of donations received following
the earthquake: 800,000 U.S. dollars for the rebuilding of schools and
400,000 U.S. dollars for the reconstruction of churches.

  Today, 11 January, the president of "Cor Unum", accompanied by Msgr.
Segundo Tejado, under secretary of the dicastery, will meet Rene Preval,
president of the Republic of Haiti. The cardinal will then visit the Parc
Acra displaced persons camp where he will celebrate Mass.

  On Wednesday 12 January, Cardinal Sarah will read out the Pope's Message
during a Mass to commemorate the first anniversary of the earthquake. He
will then meet with bishops and seminarians as well as with directors of
Caritas and of international and volunteer organisations.

  His final engagement in Haiti will take place on 13 January when he will
celebrate Mass in the convent of the "Paridean" Daughters of Mary who lost
fifteen religious in the disaster, while twelve other sisters were seriously
injured.

  The visit also has the aim of thanking everyone who collaborated in the
huge efforts of the emergency period, and of renewing the Church's
commitment in the reconstruction, encouraging a new phase of charitable
commitment.
CON-CU/                                                         VIS 20110111
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 - Origin: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede (1:396/3) 
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