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.
