Two Seventh-day Adventist church members were tragically killed during a recent gang-led massacre that claimed over 180 lives in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood of Cité Soleil, a densely populated commune in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The attacks, which occurred between December 6-8, 2024, were part of a killing spree believed to be orchestrated by a powerful local gang leader, media outlets reported.

Marcel Cangé, church elder of the Bérée Adventist Church in Cité Soleil, and Dominique*, a church member of the Ephraim Adventist Church, were both killed. Cangé was stabbed and burned, while Dominique met a similar fate. Both were among the many victims of a gang-led killings that targeted over 100 elderly individuals, believed to have been blamed for the death of the gang leader’s child due to accusations of witchcraft.

Cangé, a long-time resident of Wharf Jérémie, was preparing for Sabbath services on Dec. 6, when he learned of the executions and rushed home. Shortly after, he was forced from his home by three men, then stabbed and burned, according to his son, Mackenson Cangé. “My father had lived in Wharf Jérémie for over 29 years and was well-known in the area,” said Mackenson.

According to Renato Marc, the pastor who oversees the Béthel pastoral district, which includes the Bérée and Ephraim Adventist Churches, Cangé served nearly 20 years as an elder. “He was highly respected throughout the district,” said Marc. “He was a committed and wise man who was dedicated to his church and community.”

The killing of Brother Dominique occurred as he made his way to the church for Sabbath services, a church member reported. Though few details are known, residents reported that some victims were mutilated. In addition, a third church member was tortured by the gang but managed to escape and is now in hiding.

Fear Grips Adventist Community

The recent violence has left many families and church members living in fear, as they mourn their loved ones while trying to avoid becoming targets themselves. Several church members are currently in hiding, fearing for their safety. One church member narrowly survived an attack when the gang mistakenly targeted them.

The situation is especially dire in the Béthel pastoral district, which consists of four churches, including the recently looted Bokim Adventist Church, which remains closed. In recent weeks, the district’s head deacon was shot during a gang attack but narrowly escaped death, church leaders said.

Pastor Marc described the district as a “war zone” due to the ongoing violence. He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the church’s elders and deacons, who risk their lives to support the church’s mission despite the volatile environment. “Since my installation in 2021, it has been the elders and deacons who accompany me as I visit the churches, allowing me to enter areas that would otherwise be too dangerous,” said Marc.

Violence Continues to Escalate

According to United Nations reports, over 5,000 people have died in Haiti this year due to gang violence, with no sign of the situation improving.

In a statement following the attacks, the Haitian government condemned the killings, offering condolences to the victims’ families. “The government condemns this inhumane atrocity in the strongest terms,” the statement read, vowing that justice would be pursued for the victims.

For Seventh-day Adventists and other religious groups in Haiti, the ongoing violence presents immense challenges, church leaders said. In one recent incident, gang members attempted to extort an Adventist church that was trying to continue construction on its worship building.

Pastor Pierre Caporal, president of the Haitian Union, emphasized that the situation in the country is worsening daily. “Violence is spreading into new areas, and the population is being forced to flee to save their lives. Our church members are living through the same reality,” he said. “The doors of many churches remain closed, and it is increasingly difficult, even impossible, to gather in many places. The risks to pastors, church members, and administrators are great.”

Church’s Mission Continues

Despite these challenges, the church continues its mission, offering hope and trust in God through worship services, community outreach, Hope Media Haiti and Radio Voix de l’Espérance, the church’s television and radio stations.

“We continue to rely on God’s protection for His people and for a change in the realities we face throughout the country,” said Caporal. “We must carry forward the mission of God, even in the midst of such crises.”

* full name withheld for safety reasons

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.