Tradate/Haiti

“We finally managed to speak to them; we’re very relieved, although the situation is really dramatic.” The relatives, in Tradate, of Don Giuseppe Noli managed to speak to him and to Don Mauro Brescianini, the former priest from Abbiate Guazzone, during the night between Thursday and Friday. The two men are in Haiti as missionaries, and when the violent earthquake struck the capital of the Caribbean island, all communications were broken off, even with the two missionaries. News came through the “Curia” missionary office that they were well, and that they were in another area, Port de Paix, a town near Mare Rouge, where Don Giuseppe works, 150 km from the epicentre. 

“Don Giuseppe is now going back to Mare Rouge, and Don Mauro is staying in Port de Paix,” the relatives said happily. “We are relieved after speaking to them both, but they were very worried. There is no serious damage where they are. The problem is people not coming home; families are waiting and hoping that their relatives will return soon. The capital is where people went to work and study.”

Don Giuseppe is getting ready to return to the parish church of Mare Rouge. “He said he’ll have to see how to tackle the situation. He was also worried about the organisation, about how the emergency will be handled. They have had little news, and it is only now they are beginning to realise the extent of the tragedy that struck the island.” 

In the meantime, the community of Abbiate Guazzone is trying to understand how to help Don Giuseppe and the population of Haiti, who have been linked for many years by the work of the missionary and the presence of the former priest. “We got together, and we’re only waiting for more definite news from Don Giuseppe,” explained Renzo Imperiali, a physician who helps in coordinating volunteers. “On the basis of what needs to be done, as soon as they’ve got organised a bit, we’ll see how we can help.”

Furthermore, the parish of Tradate has decided to organise an evening next week, to collect the funds necessary for the initial interventions to support the people of Haiti and the work of the two missionaries.