A recent gathering of the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH) concluded with the following statement on the political situation there. The full statement can be found here along with other resources on the crisis. Below is part of the statement that seems important to distribute today.
We were approximately 3000 at the National Theatre of Port au Prince, praising, sharing, reporting, teaching and discussing at a completely particular political moment. Three days of reflection with people living in the same place, same country ignoring momentarily the true problem of their reason for being and their unfortunate situations. It was the moment for us to read the situation which prevails in Haiti so that member pastors and invited guests could understand the reality of the crisis dating back two centuries.The political situation in which we live, which includes division, egoism, distrust, traditional practices and international politics applied in poor countries, leads to class struggles, exclusion, exile, overthrown governments.
From 1986 to 2004, we have known 32 overthrown governments and two elections. The problem is not within the mass population, but the dominant class represented by the bourgeois and the traditional institutions such as the Catholic Church and the Protestant Federation that brings together churches founded by foreign missions.
The upper class, which for 200 years has dominated and controlled the political and economic power and which has become rich off the poorest of the people, has never contributed to the development of the country nor to the progress of the people who struggle and this dates from long ago. Having lost its control and privileges after 7 February 1986, this class has tried by all means to recover its place.
The middle class coming from among the ranks of the poor and who, to a certain limit, governs today is also resisting so as not to return under the yoke of servitude. Those in this group possess hope for a better tomorrow and do not intend to pack their bags and go into exile nor do those without access to an immigration visa intend to return to a hidden life in the bush. In this class and in this struggle one finds the grass roots Protestant churches, which are also threatened by the traditional mainline churches and institutions that are struggling for the rights of the well off.
1. The church is a part of this continual social crisis which knows no end. The political struggle constitutes a true concern for all the sectors of society including the churches. The poorest of the poor find themselves without shelter, bread, education, health, water, electricity and do not know to whom to cry or where to go.
One knows only civil war in certain parts of the country, notably among the poorest of the poor, who are used by politicians distributing weapons with the goal of creating panic and the destabilization of the government in place. Some of these areas are Cite Soleil, Delmas 2 and 3, Gonaives, Petit Goaves, Grand Goaves, Pernal, and others. There are also former military officials who force hospitals to close their doors.
While that which contributes to the survival of the poor is closed - factories, co-ops, NGOs, missionaries, orphanages-the bosses are turning into political parties with the goal of giving a reply to the people who voted for Aristide by firing them for their political ideology. Even if these workers refuse to participate in the demonstrations sponsored by their bosses against the government in power, they are victims of dismissal. So, economically speaking the situation is disastrous. Beggars are increasing, HIV/AIDS cases have grown, misery is seen right before one's eyes whereas the people are asking for one thing - an end to this political struggle and the beginning of the construction of the country through elections, as indicated in the constitution of 1987.
2. In this chaotic situation, the church is called to play her role, where the truth must question policy makers and political parties and call for dialogue, compromise and negotiations. This is the message we are calling our churches to preach to the people and what we insist on from the government and the opposition parties. Besides, we have asked the international community, particularly the Caribbean community and the Organization of American States that the Protestant grass roots churches be allowed to attend the next negotiating meeting, in order to know and to understand from where the truth and the lies are coming.
3. Our position is clear - the accompaniment of the poor in their choice, their struggle and determination. The choice of the poor is to see the installation of unity, peace, food security, social and political stability so that the class struggle, oppression, and exploitation cease and for once a plan be established to benefit the neediest of the Haitian people.
The opposition is no longer, Lavalas is not yet.