Friday, November 8, 2013

Rights Restored by L'Ouverture



The revolutionary hero of the slave rebellion, Toussaint L'Ouverture restored rights to the Catholic religion when he came to power in 1800.  But, there was another massacre in 1804 and nearly all the clergy left the colony.  After the overthrow of James I some missionaries returned in 1806, but negotiations to fully reinstate the Church took several decades.  It was not until 1860 that a concordat was finally signed and a new apostolic delegate could be installed.  Since 1860 the Catholic religion has enjoyed the protection of the government. The president nominates the archbishop and the bishops, but the Pope can refuse them canonical institution.  

Five bishoprics were erected in 1861 in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien, Les Cayes, Gonaïves, and Port-de-Paix.  The Congregation of the Holy Ghost and of the Holy Heart of Mary sent priests to Port-au-Prince, but many succumbed to tropical diseases and died.  The Fathers of the Holy Ghost gave up direction of the seminary, Mgr. Quilloux founded a new seminary in Pontchâteau in 1873 under the direction of the Fathers of the Society of Mary.