Overview:
Bishop Emeritus Joseph Willy Romélus, former chief of the Diocese of Jérémie—Grand’Anse Division— and champion of Haiti’s poor, died Aug. 11 at age 94 in his native Arniquet, a commune of the South Division. Ordained in 1958 and named bishop in 1977, he superior training, healthcare and human rights, incomes the 1994 European Human Rights Prize. Retired in 2009, he remained an ethical voice for unity and justice till his dying. Haiti now mourns a prophetic and brave chief.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Catholic Church in Haiti will bid farewell to Bishop Emeritus Joseph Willy Romélus, former chief of the Diocese of Jérémie, Grand’Anse, throughout funeral companies on Aug. 21. The revered bishop died peacefully Aug. 11 at his residence in Château, Arniquet commune, within the South Division. He was 94.
The announcement from the diocesan chancery has drawn an outpouring of condolences from clergy, parishioners and neighborhood leaders.
“It’s a nice loss for the Church; a prophet has left us, a light-weight has gone out,” Rev. Father Adonaï Jean Juste mentioned of the beloved bishop in an interview with The Haitian Occasions. “For the poor, they lose their father, their defender, a honest Haitian with out hypocrisy.”
A vigil shall be held Aug. 20 at Saint Louis Cathedral in Jérémie. The funeral mass will happen the next day on the Sanctuary of Our Girl of the Miraculous Medal.
A fearless advocate for justice with a long time of service
Born Jan. 17, 1931, in Arniquet, Romélus entered the priesthood in 1958 after seminary formation for the Diocese of Les Cayes. He served rural communities for practically twenty years earlier than being appointed bishop of Jérémie by Pope John Paul II in 1977.
As bishop, he targeted on training, healthcare and pastoral work in distant areas. He launched literacy packages, constructed parish colleges, strengthened well being companies and oversaw the construction of Our Girl of Miraculous Medal Cathedral, begun in 1996 regardless of monetary challenges.
Romélus was identified for his outspoken protection of human rights, significantly throughout political upheaval. He supported the 1987 Structure, denounced army abuses after the Duvalier regime and inspired peaceable resistance following the 1991 bloody coup till constitutional order was restored in 1994.
“It’s a nice loss for the Church; a prophet has left us, a light-weight has gone out. For the poor, they lose their father, their defender, a honest Haitian with out hypocrisy.”
Rev. Father AdonaÏ Jean Juste
That yr, he acquired the European Human Rights Prize in Strasbourg. After which, he was nominated for the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since retirement in 2009, Romélus stayed energetic — conducting lots, mentoring monks and talking out towards international interference in Haiti. Throughout a 2012 journey to Europe, the place he introduced his e book “Hope In opposition to All Hope,” he criticized the US’ insurance policies, which he claimed deepened inside divisions and hampered nationwide progress.
“His life teaches us that solely true unity, with out hypocrisy, the place everybody can stay with dignity, can save the nation,” Jean Juste mentioned. “He was imprisoned and crushed for his beliefs, but by no means stopped loving the folks by God.”
Romélus leaves behind a legacy of pastoral care, ethical braveness and unyielding dedication to Haiti’s most weak.