In the Parish of the Poor: Writings from Haiti

by Jean-Bertrand Aristide and Amy Wilentz

Book Overview

The former president of Haiti's writings and sermons on the harsh reality and stubborn hope of the people of Haiti. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0883446820
• ISBN13: 9780883446829
• Release Date: September 1990
• Publisher: Orbis Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Best intentions, saddest results...

Let me say this is a well written treatise and worth reading. It is a piece of history to be reviewed. However, I don't buy into liberation theology and do not apologize for believing in the free enterprise system. Teach a man to fish and he will fish. Teach a man to make nets and a boat and he will produce. Teach a man to market the fish, boat and nets and he will sell. Not really an evil concept in itself. What has happened and is happening in Haiti is a tragic story. One can blame the US, France and others. One can blame a harsh climate, endemic disease and poor resources. One can also blame the self-grown despots who "governed" Haiti. Unfortunately Mr Aristide "talked a good ball game" but played no better than the rest, in fact, was worse than most. He lifted the people up only to dash them down. The book is hypocritical to it's core. It falls into the abyss with previous socialist and communist manifestos.

A PRIEST STANDS WITH HIS PEOPLE AT ANY COST; NOT AGAINST BUT WITH THEM IN THEIR SUFFERING AND OPPRES

My daily unwelcome anti-Catholic trolls will immediately leap all over this review, but in the light of the courageous witness of the Reverend Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide facing down countless gun barrels in the Sanctuary of Salesian Churches, I must not flinch from providing testimony and witness for this excellent spiritual treatise of what it means to be in truth and integrity a Roman Catholic Priest. No words can sum up this brilliant spiritual treatise and witness of our Faith under violent persecution by imperialist powers, the same which martyred the Blessed Monsenor Oscar Romero. The documentation of repression is unquestionable and deeply, terribly moving, and must be read by every Roman Catholic to understand what it truly means to be Roman Catholic under actual, physical, lethal repression, to learn our best and only response in resistance through nonviolence, solidarity peace and prayer most deeply in the mysteries of our Faith. By this martyrdom and inexorable repression we see our Faith. Read as well the Blessed Monsenor Romero, and Father Ellacuria and Companions. Read Jean Donovan and Sister Ita Ford. But above all read here (or in the original French/Creole) the Reverend Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide. See also his Eyes of the Heart: Seeking a Path for the Poor in the Age of Globalization and his Dignity as well as The Prophet and Power: Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the International Community, and Haiti (Critical Currents in Latin American Perspective). Here in this publication by the greatest and most Faithful American Roman Catholic printing house, the fine Orbis Books housed in Maryknoll, New York, in sometimes rugged translation by Amy Wilentz (author of The Rainy Season: Haiti Since Duvalier and several other works) with her adequate introduction, we find a collection of several writings and talks by the Reverend Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide, so ardently vilified by the Reagan/Bush regime and all of its instruments. I cannot add to the strong spiritual power of Father Aristide's words and prayers by subtracting from them, nor by summing them up. Equally disastrous to the full Gospel message here is drawing forth passages for your review, for your correct decision to purchase this immortal collection. Nevertheless, permit me please to suggest for your present lectio divina these few brief passages. When the Salesian Church in the capital was invaded by hired thugs of the military dictatorship after the consecration at morning Mass, under the careful and hands-off eye of the military garrison across the street and the police HQ's nearby, the thugs shot people in the Church, market women, mothers, grandmothers, church ladies, beat them to death, shoved steel pikes into their bellies, and shot at Father Aristide. Miraculously he was not killed. He saw one young women clutching her belly where the irregular soldiers had shoved a steel rod through her, seeing her pregnant. Another priest organized assistance for her with massac

A Wonderful and Intriguing Read

As a person who takes an interest in the country of Haiti and its political figures, I was very excited upon discovering Aristide's "In the Parish of the Poor". This book, which includes a wonderful foreword by Amy Wilentz, contains all the intellect and emotional fervor that makes Aristide the highly-respected individual that he is. The book is well-written and even contains some of Aristide's sermons. I am in no means a supporter of Aristide; however, I must highly recommend this book to anyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Timeless and Touching

Haiti- 600 miles from Florida, but it may as well be 600 light years! Jean Bertrand Aristide captures that magnificently in "In The Parish of the Poor". As an educator I have used passages from this book in class to provoke discussions on social justice and morality. And as someone who is drawn to Haiti as often as funds allow,I cherish it for its truth. A lot has happened to Haiti since Titid wrote this, but it has a spirit that is timeless.

An inside to the thoughts of liberation-theology

This book is excellent! Having met Aristide- in Haiti, I know the absolute power of love that Aristide holds in his heart for the people of Haiti - and this book does just that. It gives the reader a look at the problems in Haiti, those that Aristide has experienced, and why he believes he can change the situation there. He gives the reader fact and feeling- true, honest feelings without the flowery-detail. The feelings in this book are human. Aristide calls out to his readers to take heed and see Haiti as a land of people with pride, love, and faith. He lets you see - from his point of view - the atrocities of standing against the powerful government....of what his vision is for Haiti's future and how faith and liberation theology will bring Haiti to a new level. An excellent read- a powerful book- with actual sermons given by Aristide at the end- that might change the reader's view of the society we live in and his/her place in it.