The Bishop of Fort Liberté in Haiti, Bishop Quesnel Alphonse https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12363-haiti-religion-pope-francis-appoint-a-new-bishop-in-haiti.html , participates in the Vatican with bishops from all over the world at the XVth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Youth from October 3 to 28.

On the sidelines of the Synod; questioned on the post-earthquake socio-economic situation in 2010, of young Mgr. Quesnel Alphonse lamented the great migratory movement of young Haitians who have abandoned their country, despite the efforts made on their behalf, stressing "This is our bigger challenge. We can sometimes invest in the field of youth, but after they do not stay. There is a great migratory movement towards the other countries, among others : Chile, Venezuela, the United States. So the big challenge is to help young people stay in their country, and to invest more for them. We try to take up this challenge through education, the accompaniment style [...]"

Regarding the role of the Church in the development of Haiti, Bishop Alphonse explained that the Haitian Episcopal Conference is involved in getting the country out of the impasse. The scourge of corruption is at the center of the population's concerns and the Church is not insensible "For the moment, there are two steps we are taking. On the one hand, there are the messages we publish. The last one is about corruption, it has raised awareness and made a good impact. On the other hand, we have a mixed Church-State Commission [...] consisting of three bishops and three members of the Government. When there is a punctual situation, they come together to find solutions in terms of elements of answers. I think we are on the right track. There is no direct tension between the church and the state [...] The church has a role to play in the community. We are trying as an episcopal conference to make our contribution. In addition to denunciations, we are making proposals to help the country break the economic impasse that prevents young people from finding all their dimensions."

Moreover, the bishop of Fort-Liberté does not hide his satisfaction regarding vocations in Haiti "We are really rich in vocation, at the major seminary of Port-au-Prince we have some 300 seminarians. It is a wealth for the Church", while recognizing that much remains to be done at the level of vocational guidance and training for young people.

Learn more about Mgr Alphonse Quesnel :

Alphonse Quesnel joined the congregation of the fathers Monfortains (MMS) where he pronounced his first vows on October 1, 1972. After completing his studies in philosophy and theology at Notre Dame d'Haiti in Port-au-Prince, he was ordained priest on July 16 1977 and made his perpetual vows in October 1977.

After his ordination, he is a teacher and director of the College of Our Lady of Lourdes in Port-de-Paix until 1980 and Director of Catechetical Centre of the Archdiocese of Cap-Haitien and simultaneously, in 1983, Master of Monfortains novices.

In 1986, he left to Paris to complete his studies at the Catholic Institute of Paris, where he specialized in catechesis. Back in Haiti, he became head of the seminary Monfortains from 1988 to 1989 and in 1990 he was elected provincial superior of Monfortains.

After a sabbatical year in France in 1996-1997, he found pastoral responsibilities in the diocese of Port-de-Paix, as parish priest of Chansolme, then as Director of the Center of catechesis, of the diocesan center for pilgrimages and diocesan radio until 2008 when he joined Port-au-Prince, as priest of the parish St. Louis, King of France.

Benedict XVI appointed him titular bishop of Dionisiana and Auxiliary Bishop of Port-au-Prince on November 10, 2012 and received the episcopal consecration December 22, 2012 from Bishop Guire Poulard, the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24931-haiti-riots-the-episcopal-conference-points-to-the-irresponsibility-of-leaders.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12363-haiti-religion-pope-francis-appoint-a-new-bishop-in-haiti.html

TB/ HaitiLibre