Activist Haiti Priest Expelled From His Order
A radical Roman Catholic priest accused of being a “destabilizing” influence in Haiti has been expelled from his religious order because of his political activism, the head of the order here said Friday.
Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide “should understand that the order is an institution, which has its rules and its punishments,” Father Jacques Mesidor, Salesian superior in Haiti, said.
The Salesian order in Rome expelled Aristide on Thursday after he ignored an order to move from Haiti to Canada by Oct. 17.
Aristide, 35, has been the target of at least three assassination attempts. On Sept. 11, while he was celebrating Mass, his St. Jean Bosco church was attacked and burned down by armed thugs. At least 12 worshipers were killed and 70 wounded.
The attack sparked a coup by enlisted men who ousted former ruler Lt. Gen. Henri Namphy and installed Lt. Gen. Prosper Avril as president.
Aristide has been in seclusion since the Sept. 11 attack. The Vatican order to leave for Canada prompted street demonstrations by his supporters.
The Salesian Society on Thursday accused Aristide of being a “destabilizing” influence who instigates violence and exalts class warfare.
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