a1937: BBC: Haiti: Violent demonstration against priest's dismissalreported in Jeremie (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Robert Benodin <r.benodin@worldnet.att.net>

Haiti: Violent demonstration against priest's dismissal reported in Jeremie
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; May 4, 2002


There is a serious crisis within the Jeremie Diocese. Father Jude Berthomieu
Frederick [phonetic], who is very popular in the area for his stance against
the corruption that prevails in the diocese, according to him, has been
sanctioned by his superiors. He was suspended for a year. When his
sympathisers heard the news, they went to the archdiocese last night to
demonstrate their anger against Bishop Willy Romelus. They broke the windows
of cars that belong to the priests. The [Police] Intervention and
Maintenance of Order Company [CIMO] had to intervene to calm the situation.
Cleverin Michel reports as follows:
[Michel - recording, in Creole] The demonstrators shouted slogans hostile to
Romelus, after the head of the diocese wrote to Frederick in order to force
him to leave the diocese. This decision gave rise to the discontent of
Frederick's supporters. The demonstrators broke the windows of the Catholic
Church's local radio station, Radio Tet Ansanm. They also broke the windows
of cars that belong to some priests.
[Unidentified demonstrator] It is Romelus who should leave Jeremie, not
Frederick.
[Second unidentified demonstrator] What we are doing tonight is only a
start. We shall continue tomorrow at 0700 [local times throughout]. We shall
show the Church that the popular masses have a child who is a priest. Since
they have decided to expel him, we shall give an response to the church. We
shall be out in the streets at 0700. If Romelus wants, he can call for the
men in black [CIMO] and get a helicopter to bring them here to kill us.
[Michel] It should pointed out that Father Frederick, who was ordained three
years ago, received a letter of suspension after he denounced the corruption
and immorality that prevail, especially in the Jeremie diocese, where his
fellow priests are tarnishing the sacerdotal image with their bad behaviour.
At this moment, it is very difficult to get Bishop Romelus to give an
explanation about the situation. Father Frederick, who is the director of
the Frere Paulin school, has already left town for an unknown destination.
The populace want Frederick restored to the diocese. Otherwise, they will
take further action.
Source: Radio Metropole, Port-au-Prince, in French 1700 gmt 3 May 02
/¸ BBC Monitoring