After the earthquake

In the overnight hours Tuesday, and into the early morning hours of Wednesday of this week, there was a violent earthquake just metres below the surface of the ground in Haiti. Since then, news has quickly been arriving in Canada and other parts of the world about the devastation that has taken place.

Canadians have already mobilized vast amounts of assistance which is either already in Haiti or will soon arrive. In addition, the Canadian Government has announced today that it will match any donations made by individuals to organizations such as the Red Cross who have an established presence on the ground in that Caribbean nation.

Initial reports told of the destruction of major buildings in the captial city Port-au-Prince, and subsequent dispatches describe the horrors currently facing residents who are trying even now to find loved ones who are lost beneath rubble. The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince was killed in Tuesday's earthquake and many priests and seminarians are still missing.

A report written for Agencia Fides, the news arm of the Vatican Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples says:
Port-au-Prince is completely devastated. The Cathedral, the Archbishop's residence, all the large churches, all the seminaries are reduced to rubble. The pastor of the Cathedral, who is safe and sound, reported that the Archbishop has died beneath the rubble and a certain number of seminarians and priests are trapped. The Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti reports that the presidential palace has been heavily damaged as are many other buildings ...

In addition to the fact that many have died, there will also be problems finding fresh water and food for the living. Even at the Apostolic Nunciature, it is not safe to enter the building which is still subject to aftershocks, so the staff (who is unharmed) must camp in the garden.

Aside from those who have been confirmed dead, there are many who are still missing, and communication between Haiti and other countries is not easy to say the least. For those who await word from or about their loved ones, these are indeed trying times.