SCM Haiti whereabouts unknown, Canadian students issue pastoral letter on disaster
SCM’s worldwide are being called upon to support the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake last week. SCM Canada sent a note of prayer and support to SCM Haiti on January 12, but nobody in our global network has yet heard from our Haitian comrades and we are very concerned for their well-being, as well as all Haitians’.
SCM Canada, along with our global network the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), are continuing to pray for the people of Haiti and encouraging people to support disaster relief efforts. On January 18, our General Board issued a Pastoral Letter on the Disaster in Haiti calling for prayer, solidarity and aid – and reflecting on the systemic causes of Haiti’s impoverishment as a result of imperialistic policies of Global North countries including Canada.
“Words cannot express the feelings of shock and sadness at the news of the devastating earthquake,” the SCM Canada’s statement says. “We pray for the safety of all Haitians, including our comrades in the Student Christian Movement of Haiti (MEC Haità Allianza Cristiana de Estudiantes Haitianos).”
“For a country that has endured great suffering brought about by hurricanes and tropical storms, dictatorships and military coups, and a long and ongoing history of imperialism and intervention from the Global North, this latest disaster brings more tragedy to a people who have already been through more pain, turmoil and struggle than many could imagine.”
As we continue to pray, encourage donations, and await word from SCM Haiti, the WSCF’s Latin America Region issued a plea for global solidarity. Haiti, whose SCM is part of the Latin America region, needs urgent aid. The WSCF is organizing a group to go to Haiti to assist with on-the-ground relief efforts as well as to contact members of the SCM.
The following is a letter from WSCF Latin America region.
[Rush translation from Spanish by SCM Canada]Esteemed brothers and sisters,
Fraternal greetings from the Regional Office for Latin America of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). We hope that the love and the grace of our God continues accompanying your paths.
We take this opportunity to write with much pain for the situation we are facing in Haiti, and have tried at great length to communicate with the Rev. Esdras Salomón, the representative for SCM Haiti; to this date we have been unsuccessful in reaching him.
On behalf of the Regional Office of the WSCF Latina American region, we are making this call of solidarity to all members of the WSCF around the world; we have set up a special offering to support our brothers and sisters, the people of Haiti as a testimony to our love and support from [WSCF’s] student committees.
We are gathering volunteers to organize a pastoral support mission to SCM Haiti, and therefore need human and financial resources; we also invite you to write letters, and to create art or other create expression as a symbol of hope for our brothers and sisters suffering.
Please send contributions to:
Bank Account No. 190 0523 854
SWIFT: BROUUYMM
ABA: 026003324
Bank: Republic Montevideo, Uruguay
Send confirmation to our email, fumec@fumec-alc.org.
Let us unite our hearts in prayer:
God, who walks with the people,
We have hope for a new dawn
For our brothers and sisters of Haiti
May these moments of difficulty touch
All those whose indifference destroys Creation
To satisfy their personal interests
Help WSCF unite our hands around the world in solidarity,
Grant us help through your grace and love to those who suffer
Through its renewing force, may the Holy Spirit
Accompany each of your sons and daughters
Offering them consolation and hope
Strengthened in faith
We are in your hands, O God of Life.
Amen.
We follow ahead,
Gustavo Quintero Casadiego
Executive regional secretary,
WSCF Latin America
SCM Pastoral Letter on the Disaster in Haiti
