MIAMI, FLORIDA – Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, known for his impactful homily at Miami’s Notre Dame D’Haiti church two years ago, is now recovering from burns and trauma following an explosion near the house he was staying in Port-au-Prince on Sunday night.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski has been actively involved in assisting the bishop, working to secure Dumas’ travel documents that were lost in the explosion. Plans are in place for Dumas to be treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s burn unit in Miami. Wenski mentioned the extensive three-hour procedure required to cleanse the burns.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation, and Dumas has suffered burns on his face, arms, and legs, although reports indicate he is in stable condition. According to Wenski, Dumas has been deeply engaged in civil society and government efforts to navigate Haiti’s political stalemate and the resulting crisis.
Dumas, the bishop of the Anse-a-Veau Diocese near Port-au-Prince, has also been vocal about the ongoing issues of gangs and violence in Haiti. His diocese was recently in the spotlight when six nuns were kidnapped last month, an event that highlighted the security challenges the country faces. Dumas had even offered himself as a bargaining chip in an attempt to save the nuns.
Wenski expressed concerns about the possibility of Dumas being targeted due to his activism, as he continues to shed light on the political paralysis that is plaguing Haiti. He emphasized the need to bring attention to the situation that is pushing Haiti to the brink.
The well-being of Dumas is a matter of concern not only for the Church but also for the larger community, given his commitment to addressing the many challenges faced by the people of Haiti. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with advocating for change in a volatile environment.