Haitian bishop recovering from explosion, set to be treated in Miami

MIAMI – Bishop Pierre-André Dumas gave the homily when he visited Miami’s Notre Dame D’Haiti church two years ago. Now, he is recovering from burns and trauma from an explosion near the house he was staying at in Port-au-Prince on Sunday night.

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski has been in touch with his priests, scrambling to secure the bishop’s travel documents lost in the explosion. Dumas is set to be be treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s burn unit in Miami.

“I understand they needed to cleanse the burns, three hour procedure,” Wenski said.

The source of the blast has not yet been confirmed.

Dumas suffered burns on his face, arms and legs and is reported to be in stable condition.

“He’s been very active in recent years,” said Wenski. “Lately in civil society and in government to use the influence of the church to get beyond the political stalemate that has been keeping Haiti in this crisis situation.”

Dumas is bishop of the Anse-a-Veau Diocese near Port-au-Prince and is the diocese where six nuns were kidnapped last month.

They were released five days later, though in an attempt to save them, Dumas had offered himself to the kidnappers as a bargaining chip.

He has been outspoken with concerns of gangs and violence gripping Haiti.

“Bringing attention to the political paralysis that is keeping Haiti on the doorsteps of hell,” said Wenski, adding when asked if he thinks that makes Dumas a target, “It could very well be.”