Haiti Pays Last National Tribute to Bishop Emeritus Joseph Willy Romélus of Jérémie

Jérémie, August 21, 2025 – Grande-Anse is experiencing a moment of solemn contemplation this Thursday, August 21, 2025, as the Catholic Church and Haitian authorities pay a final tribute to Bishop Emeritus Joseph Willy Romélus of Jérémie, who passed away on August 12 in Arniquet (South) at the age of 94. The national funeral service is taking place at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Jérémie, following a prayer vigil held Wednesday evening at Saint-Louis Cathedral in Jérémie. A Ceremony of Dual Dimension, Religious and Civil The liturgy is presided over by Cardinal Chibly Langlois, in the presence of a significant delegation from the Haitian episcopate, including Archbishop Launay Saturne of Cap-Haïtien, and several bishops from dioceses across the country. The participation of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti underscores the importance of a legacy that transcends the borders of the city of poets. The principal celebrant, Bishop Joseph Gontran Décoste of Jérémie, placed the life of the deceased in the light of Christian hope, emphasizing the profound meaning of his testimony of faith: « Not even death can separate us from God's love for us. Love is victorious over everything, even death. » In an appeal for faithfulness to the values that guided Bishop Romélus, the bishop recalled the essence of his spiritual legacy: « What is truly essential, what constitutes the true greatness and value of the human being, is neither possessions nor power, but the humble and joyful reception of God's love for us manifested in Jesus Christ, the practice of the evangelical values of the kingdom of God, such as poverty of heart, compassion, mercy, gentleness, non-violence, hunger and thirst for justice, the struggle and commitment to peace. » Bishop Joseph Gontrand Descoste, the current Bishop of Jérémie, paid a vibrant tribute to the deceased, commending his fight, particularly against the Duvalier dictatorship. « Despite threats and intimidation, the dictatorship did not overcome him; it was he who defeated the dictatorship, » the prelate added. The Haitian National Police (PNH) paid a solemn tribute, accompanying the coffin draped with the national flag, with a brass band, funeral salute, and taps. Official Tributes and Collective Memory The protocol noted the presence of members of the Transitional Presidential Council Louis Gérald Gilles, Smith Augustin, and Emmanuel Vertilaire alongside local authorities, representatives from academia, the private sector, and civil society. In his address, Louis Gérald Gilles, presidential advisor, delivered a message that was both spiritual and political: « We lose a spiritual father, we lose with you an elder brother, a guide… The faith that animated his life forbids us from stopping at the brink of despair. Nou kapab, nou kapab. » But beyond the emotion, Presidential Council member Gilles acknowledged a disturbing reality: the State's inability to respond to the diocese's calls for the reconstruction of its sanctuaries. « The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal must be, was going to be, and will be our greatest pride, and should be one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. A priest from the diocese of Jérémie contacted me with a request for 4 million dollars to finalize its reconstruction. Unfortunately, we have already begun efforts for Saint-Louis Cathedral in Jérémie. The Haitian State must commit. » During the civil ceremony, speeches were delivered by Dr. Joseph Hubert Paul, representing the family, Ms. Sylmatha Pierre, interim executive agent of Jérémie, and the Minister of Justice, Patrick Pélissier, on behalf of the government. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (Primature) hailed « the greatness of his ministry and the spiritual and social legacy he leaves to the national community, » expressing its solidarity with the Catholic Church and all the faithful affected by this loss. A Pastor Committed to Democracy Born in Arniquet on January 17, 1931, and ordained a priest in 1958, Bishop Romélus was appointed Bishop of Jérémie in 1977. His ministry was distinguished by a strong prophetic dimension: support for the Mission Alpha literacy campaign, backing for the 1987 Constitution, resistance to post-Duvalier military regimes, and open opposition to the 1991 coup d'état. He remained a voice for the voiceless, as recalled by the dioceses of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne, continuing his appeals even after his retirement. In 2021, he still urged belief in the country's capacity to transform, and in 2023, he spoke out strongly in defense of the rights related to the Massacre River canal. A Life in Odor of Sanctity With his passing, Haiti loses an emblematic figure of ecclesial commitment to justice and human dignity. For many, Bishop Romélus will remain a source of inspiration, a courageous witness of a Church that, during the darkest moments of national history, stood by the people. His burial took place at the Cathedral of the Miraculous Medal in Jérémie, as he had wished during his lifetime. Monseigneur Romelus is forever etched into the collective memory of the country. JWP