PHOTO GALLERY: Haitians seek comfort in faith

Marie Michele Louis and another priestess made the sign of the cross and started a Catholic hymn, before splashing some rum on the ground to reach out to the gede, the spirits of the dead.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A group of men bow in prayer at dawn in the park where they are sleeping in Petionville. While the Roman Catholic Church does not endorse voodoo, and many Catholics avoid it, it has not combated it as the Protestant faiths have.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A woman holds her bible as she prays at dawn in the park where she is sleeping in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. Protestant faiths have been gaining a stronger foothold in the country, particularly since the end of the Duvalier dictatorship, which had all but stamped them out.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Evangelical Christians are blaming voodoo for bringing on the earthquake, saying the belief is Satanic. Voodoo priests counter that the Christians are exploiting the catastrophe to convert people and to raise money.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Louise Joseph Valentine holds his deceased mother Therese Theodore, 76, after she died on Wednesday. Valentine says his mother didn’t get medical care soon enough, leading to her death. The family lost their home and had been staying at the National Stadium. Her casket was carried to the nearby Central Cemetery.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Louis Joseph Valentine lowers his mother Therese Theodore, 76, into a casket after she died on Wednesday. Valentine, whose home was leveled in the quake, says his mother didn’t get medical care in time. Her casket was carried to the nearby Central Cemetery.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Louise Joseph Valentine places his deceased mother, Therese Theodore, age 76, in her casket.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Louise Joseph Valentine closes the eyes of deceased mother Therese Theodore, age 76, in her casket.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Mourners at the funeral for Therese Theodore, age 76, who died of a leg injury. Her son Louise Joseph Valentine says she didn’t get medical care soon enough. Religion is an important part of the Haitian culture whether it’s Christianity, voodoo, or a blend of some sort.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Therese Theodore’s casket is taken to the Central Cemetery after she died of a leg injury.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)