Hope in Haiti?
An Interview with Jean Bertrand Aristide
by Michael F. Gallo
Jean Bertrand Aristide is a man of unassuming appearance. Small in stature, his voice is calm and gentle. But as soon as he begins to speak, he communicates an intensity of feeling and drive appropriate to a figure in the center of controversy. Born in poverty in the small town of Port-Salut, Aristide came to the capital to attend an academy run by the Roman Catholic order of Silesian priests. Eventually, he became a Silesian priest himself, and after two years of biblical studies in Jerusalem, he returned to St. Jean Bosco Church and began work with orphans and poor street children.
Aristide first came to international attention in 1985 when during a Mass he preached a landmark sermon severely criticizing the regime of President-for-life Jean-Claude (“Baby-Doc”) Duvalier. This was one of the sparks which set off the popular uprising ousting the tyrant Duvalier in February, 1986. Participating in marches and working with peasants throughout the country, he became perhaps the most popular priest in Haiti and leader of the “Little Church” movement (congregations inspired by liberation theology).
The expulsion of Duvalier, however, did not end the growing friction between Aristide and Haiti’s ruling military leaders. The conflict came to a head last year when, on September 11, about 100 Tonton Macoutes (former members of Duvalier terrorist secret police) with machetes and guns attacked Sunday morning worshippers at St. Jean Bosco Church. Aristide narrowly escaped, but thirty of his parishioners were killed, and approximately seventy wounded. The St. Jean Bosco massacre may be what triggered a rebellion one week later by lower to mid-ranking soldiers who ousted acting President General Henri Namphi, a former Duvalierist. Eight days after the coup, several thousand people marched seven miles from downtown Port-au-Prince to Aristide’s place of refuge in Petionville. The crowd shouted out his name until he stepped out on the balcony to address them.
However, the hero was not so well received by his superiors. Shortly thereafter, the Silesians expelled Aristide from their order because he defied instructions to leave Haiti by October 17. A communique by the Society stated, “The type of political commitment he has assumed is in serious contrast with the clear will of the founder [of the order],” and accused Aristide of inciting “hate and violence” among the people. The decree which was ratified by the Vatican, did not defrock him as a priest.
The following is an interview with Fr. Aristide, held last Pentecost, May 14, in Port-au-Prince, by Michael F. Gallo.
You present yourself as a Roman Catholic priest serving a people in great need. In such troubled times for Haiti, how do you describe your personal vocation?
As always, I try to discover Jesus in every man and woman. When I find they are in misery, I realize Jesus is in misery. He is not living in the sky far from man. According to the Gospel, Jesus said “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, . . . and all you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” If I don’t love you I can’t say I love him. If I don’t love my brother here on earth, how am I to say that I love God? Jesus tried to help people in difficulty. I try to do the same with poor people today.
I believe in a theology which meets an anthropology, and an anthropology which meets a theology. The mystery of the Incarnation shows how God becomes man, and if we want to meet God, we too have to try to meet him through men.
In Haiti, it’s difficult to say “Our Father” when we don’t treat each other as brothers. What I am involved with here is a work to build real relationships between men. Then, we’ll be happy to realize we have the same Father. If we are truly brothers and sisters, then it is necessary for there to be a social justice. When we achieve that, God will be happy.
Michael F. Gallo , a graduate of Wheaton College, is a public school teacher in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael F. Gallo , a graduate of Wheaton College, is a public school teacher in Chicago, Illinois.
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