Why Haiti? Haiti is 800 miles off the coast of southeastern Florida. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Poverty there overwhelms the senses and violates our understanding of human dignity. Read more »

Where is Haiti? See map below.

Map of Haiti

Welcome to the Haiti Outreach Mission of the Richmond Diocese.

Since the mid 1980s the Diocese of Richmond has embarked on a global solidarity partnership with Haiti through its twinning ministry. Our Catholic faith tells us that every human being is made in God's image and likeness. As a result, we are all sisters and brothers in Christ. We are called to find Christ in every person and to follow his example of compassion toward those who are poor and vulnerable.

Our diocesan twinning program enables individuals and parish communities to encounter Christ in the impoverished people and land of Haiti. Through this relationship we can begin to uncover and understand the Paschal Mystery of Jesus' life, death and resurrection and to follow his example of compassion, healing and justice. Through simple acts of knowing, caring and relating to each other, we can contribute to the global healing of the human family.

We hope you will join us! 

Frequently Requested Information

Hurricane Relief

Four major storms have hit Haiti hard over a short period of time.  There are reports of massive flooding, washed out bridges, homeless people and wide spread hunger.  The UN estimates 800,000 people are in need of Hurricane relief.  Gonaives has been especially hard hit.     

To Help:

To donate funds to Caritas to distribute to the most affected areas of the Diocese of Hinche, you may send checks made out and mailed to: Catholic Diocese of Richmond, 7800 Carousel Ln, Richmond, VA 23294. 

If you would like to contribute funds to help Gonaives and other parts of Haiti please contribute to Catholic Relief Services by going to their website www.crs.org.

For More Information: 

Please see the following links for some information on the effects of the storms on the Diocese of Hinche, La Gonave and other areas. 

For reports from some of the areas twinned with the Diocese of Richmond:                              Relief information/Pictures

The City of Gonaives has been the the hardest hit area of Haiti.  Here is a letter from the Bishop of Gonaives:                                                                                                                          Bishop of Gonaives' Appeal for help

Other websites:

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/AMMF-7JCGZV?OpenDocument

http://www.miamiherald.com/todaysextras/story/677874.html 

 

Please visit the following link for a gallery of pictures from Haiti:

http://www.miamiherald.com/photogalleries/gallery/676115.html?number=0

 

News & Updates

Recent Newsletters

Regional Haiti Gatherings
This fall, there will be four Regional Haiti Gatherings held throughout the Diocese.  Please mark your calendars and watch for more information and registration forms.

October 11th                     Eastern Region                                  St. Gregory's - Virginia Beach

 

November 1st                   Central Region                                   St. Mary's-Richmond

 

November 8th                   Northwest Region                               Blessed Sacrament-Harrisonburg

 

November 15th                 Southwest Region                               Resurrection-Moneta

 

 

REGIONAL GATHERING REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)

                                              

 

Coming Soon!
A comprehensive Twinning database is in the works. The database will include information on each twinning relationship between the Diocese of Richmond and Haiti and enhance communication and networking between twinning parishes. An added feature will include the capability of allowing web browsers to query the database. For example, information such as a list of the Richmond twins who have helped build schools in Haiti or who are involved in micro credit loan programs can be accessed.