Reverend Father Kawas François (68) died on the morning of Sunday, October 23, 2022 after being hospitalized the day before at the Canapé-Vert hospital following an illness.

Kawas François, Jesuit, was born in Pilate, northern department of Haiti. He holds a master's degree in political sociology from the Iberoamerican University in Mexico City, Mexico, a master's degree in theology from the Catholic Institute of Paris and a doctorate in sociology. He completed internships in documentation and management of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in several African countries including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire. He directed the Documentation and Research Support Center (CEDAR).

Doctor in sociology, Father Kawas François was passionate about teaching. He spent a good part of his life training several generations of students, particularly at the Faculty of Human Sciences. A great intellectual, professor emeritus, Father François is the author of several works, notably "The history of the Jesuits in Haiti in the 18th and 20th centuries (1704-1763-1953-1964)" and "The State and the Church Catholicism in Haiti in the 19th and 20th centuries (1860-1980)". He was also a history teacher at the Center Inter Institut de Formation Religieuse (CIFOR).

State University of Haiti (UEH) :

"The Rectorate of the UEH salutes his departure while bowing before his mortal remains. He presents his deepest sympathy to his family, to the Jesuit community, to the entire UEH community, in particular his former colleagues and students of the Faculty of Human Sciences, to the relatives and friends affected by this unexpected bereavement."

Lorquet Foundation :

"In this painful circumstance, the Lorquet Foundation expresses its deep regrets and its words of sympathy to the Haitian Jesuit community, and presents its sincere condolences to the parents, relatives and friends of Reverend Father Kawas François grieving over this departure."

Fritz Alphonse Jean, former Governor of the Central Bank :

"I mourn the departure of a friend, a classmate who always gave us his support and comfort in difficult times."

IH/ iciHaiti