News Detail

March 2, 2011 -- On Friday, February 25, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, and Trinity Wall Street announced a $500,000 joint matching gift to Rebuild Our Church in Haiti during a meeting of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes. The gift was offered as a challenge to other parishes involved in the national grass-roots campaign to fund reconstruction of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Both parishes stressed that their commitment to rebuilding Holy Trinity Cathedral came in addition to ongoing work with other projects in Haiti, as well as individual parishioners’ contributions to relief work. With their combined gifts to fund Holy Trinity, the two churches are doing more than a $1 million worth of relief and rebuilding work in Haiti. The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Rector of Trinity Wall Street, said, “As a community, we remember those whose loss is immeasurable and whose lives have been disrupted beyond imagining.” He notes that the parish’s commitment to Haiti is ongoing and long-term.

Speaking on behalf of the Christ Church vestry, the Very Rev. Stephen Carlsen told the Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop of Haiti, “We wanted to make a gift that would have a significant impact on the Diocese of Haiti but that would also energize and inspire others to take part in rebuilding the church there. This is a gift intended to rebuild and to unite.” He invited other congregations to join Christ Church and Trinity in setting a standard of leadership and partnering with other congregations in support of the rebuilding project.

Over 70% of diocesan-owned property in Haiti was wiped out when a magnitude- 7 earthquake struck on January 12, 2010.

Rebuild Our Church in Haiti was officially launched in January of 2011. Bishop Duracin identified Holy Trinity Cathedral as the first reconstruction priority because of its central importance to rebuilding the diocesan infrastructure and because of its historic, symbolic, and spiritual significance to the people of Haiti. Individuals, parishes, and organizations in over 55 dioceses have already made contributions. For information on how to participate or for resources for your parish, go to http://www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal/.