POPE WELCOMES HAITI'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2002 (VIS) - Carl Henri Guiteau, Haiti's new ambassador to the Holy See, was welcomed today by Pope John Paul who accepted his Letters of Credence. In their respective speeches, both underlined the fact that the president of Haiti has designated Ambassador Guiteau as a "resident ambassador" which means that presidential envoys to the Holy See will henceforth reside in Rome and not in Paris, as in the past.

"You have just recalled," the Holy Father told the diplomat, "the bicentenary of independence that your country will celebrate in 2004. You have also mentioned the deep crisis affecting your country which you called a crisis of values, a crisis of society. I ardently hope that this anniversary, of which the Haitians are very proud because Haiti was the first country of Latin America and the Caribbean to proclaim its independence, will be a privileged occasion for a deeper ability to live together."

In the decision taken by leaders to promote the common good, said the Pope, "it is important to take into consideration the just aspirations of the population in respect to persons, peace, security, justice and fairness. A great majority of inhabitants suffer from an ever more unbearable poverty" which leads many Haitians to emigrate, especially to cities, thus causing "savage urbanization" and "the disintegration of family ties."

John Paul II affirmed that "a strong democracy" and "a State of law are powerful antidotes to the despair" felt by many Haitians. What must be strengthened, he added, is the "culture of fraternity and solidarity of the Haitian people" as it is "an important resource for weaving solid relations among citizens." This patrimony belongs to everyone, he said, not to just a few who wish to profit economically from it. The Pope encouraged Haitian leaders to "open up the country" through a network of better communications, health structures, schools and rural development.

"The fight against injustice and arbitrariness," the Holy Father went on, "presupposes guaranteeing an ever more independent and fair judicial system that respects the rights of the poorest."

He stated that leaders must be attentive to young people as well, for they are "the first natural richness. Their education and formation give them the taste of hope and the possibility of participating in the transformation of the country." Youth must "be made aware of the common good and solidarity, respect for life from its conception, (and) the greatness of creation, placed into the hands of man in order for him to suitably administer it."

Pope John Paul underscored "the endemic and ever more shocking scandal of misery which creates (a) permanent instability in the country." He urged leaders "to listen to the cries of the poor and to not disappoint their hopes." He also exhorted them "not to allow themselves to be influenced by special or occult interests which harm the good functioning of institutions."

The Pope closed with words of greeting for Haiti's Catholics and recalled the Church's presence and its work in the country's long history and her constant efforts "to promote the common good of all the Haitian people."

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