Cap-Haitian Cathedral

On July 16, 2018, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Mgr. Launay Saturné as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haïtian. He will replace Monsignor Max Leroy Mesidor. Mgr. Saturné was the President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti CEH and Bishop of the Diocese of Jacmel. He made a reputation for being outspoken. He recently denounced the living conditions of Haitians and some decisions of the current Government.

On July 16, 2018, Monsignor Launay Saturne, 54, was appointed as the Bishop of Jacmel, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien (Haiti). Monsignor Eugene Martin Nugent, the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti confirmed that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Launay Saturné (President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti CEH and Bishop of the Diocese of Jacmel), as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien. He replaced Monsignor Max Leroy Mesidor, enthroned Archbishop of Port-au-Prince in last January. The new appointment came amid a tensed situation between President Moïse and the CEH. Monsignor Saturne was never a choice of President Moïse because of his outspoken nature.

Launay Saturné was born on January 14, 1964 in Delatte (Petit-Goâve) in the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. He became ordained priest on March 10, 1991 for the archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. Then he took the responsibility of Vicar of the Sacred Heart parish of Turgeau, at Port-au-Prince (1991-1997), and Director of the Propedeutique [foundation course for first-year University students] House at Jacquet, for the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. From 1998 to 2003 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology (Ecclesiology). The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI named him as the Bishop of Jacmel in April 2010. Since November 2017, he is the President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti.

On April 28, 2012 when he was named Bishop of Jacmel by Pope Benedict XVI, he said, "the construction of physical buildings is not enough; we must rebuild the Haitian people." He called on the government of Haiti to develop vocational training programs, and to make public education available to all young people. He criticized the task of the Provisional Electoral Council that brought Martelly into power.

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This is to illustrate the inaugural flight of American Airlines #1632, which took place on Thursday, October 2, 2014 and landed in the City of Cap-Haitian, Haiti for the first time. That was a historical day for the population in the North of the country as they celebrated this day that they have been waiting for.

On hand for the event was President Michel Martelly, who flew into Miami where the flight would originate the night before. He was met in Cap-Haitien by the Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, the Minister for Tourism, Stephanie Villedrouin, Venezuelan Ambassador to Haiti, Pedro Antonio Canino Gonzalez and Vice President of American Airlines, Art Torno, among others.

The celebration involved a ceremony at the airport following the successful landing, at which the President stated that the feat had been long in coming. He cited that governments had been trying to achieve this since 1952.

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Cap-Haitien was established in 1670 in the Taino town, Guarico. The French colonialists turned it into a territory and called it Cap-Francis in 1711.

The slave revolt in 1791 led to Haitian General Christophe to torch the city instead of surrendering it to the French.

Re-named Cap-Haitien in 1804, the year of Haiti's liberation, it has held up under many natural disasters, becoming in 1995 a National Heritage site. The city today still contains magnificent colonial-period architecture and monuments.

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Cap-Haitien Cathedral, imbued with historical importance, was the target of vicious criminal activity in 2011 that violated its sacred inner sanctum. The violent wrongdoers were traced to former Haitian President Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party.

Defacement of the Cathedral appalled and horrified the largely Roman Catholic community. No longer will they be able to feel safe within its nave.

Archbishop Kebreau appealed to President Martelly to take a sterner approach in ruling Haiti to avoid incidents of this nature in the future.

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Cap-Haitien Cathedral, a place of symbolic significance, sustained a brutal attack on its inner sanctum in 2011. The evildoers were discovered to be members of Fanmi Lavalas, former President Aristide's organization.

Ruination of the Cathedral surprised and scared the Roman Catholic parish. It can no longer be assumed anyone is safe within the Cathedral's confines.

Cap-Haitien Archbishop Kebreau warned President Martelly if he did not rule with a tighter fist, more violations against the church could be expected.

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Cap-Haïtien Cathedral, a church of historical significance, was viciously vandalized in 2011. The miscreants were rumored to be part of Fanmi Lavalas, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's party.

Debasement of the Cathedral sent shock waves throughout the predominately Catholic community. The days of being able to seek sanctuary within its walls is over.

The attack seemed to co-incide with the return of Aristide after seven years exiled in Africa. Archbishop Kebreau called upon President Martelly to adopt a law-and-order approach to ruling Haiti.

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Haiti has many beautiful cathedrals, but none equal the tall, white, sun-splashed, and stately Cap-Haitien Cathedral.

Built on the main plaza of town, the structure is a well-aged example of early 20th century architecture.

A part of Haitian history also resides on the church site, a statue of rebel leader Mackandal. He led an infantry of black slaves fighting to free themselves from French domination in 1712.

Once called the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the church is now the Cathedral of Our Lady.

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Here is a picture of CATHEDRALE DU CAP-FRANCAIS in 1748 in Cap-Haitian

Treasured Architecture Cap-Haitien Cathedral

Cap-Haitien Cathedral is one of the most visually stunning pieces of architecture in town. Found on the main plaza, it has been lovingly cared for since its completion in the early 20th century.

On the church site, a part of Haiti's history is symbolized by a statue of Mackandal. He led an army of black slaves, the Maroons, fighting to emancipate themselves from French-occupied Haiti in 1712.

The Cathedral, once named Cathedral of Notre Dame, is now the Cathedral of Our Lady.

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Here is a picture of Mgr COUSINEAU - Cap-Haitian

Cap-Haitien Cathedral Site of Historical Significance

Tourists who visit Cap-Haitien Cathedral experience a turn-of-the-century modern structure. Situated on the main plaza of the town, it is a beautifully preserved building.

Also on the church site is a statue of revolutionary slave leader, Mackandal, who led a rebellion to oust the French colonists. He was murdered 46 years before Haiti became a sovereign nation.

Cap-Haitien Cathedral, once known as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, is now referred to as the Cathedral of Our Lady.

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Here is a picture of the Cathedral located in the middle of the city of Cap-Haitian. With a population mainly catholic in the city of Cap-Haitian, this catholic church or cathedral represents the spirit of the city

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