Venezuela: ACN calls for prayers for the Venezuelan people after the devastating earthquakes that have damaged churches and sown fear among the population
The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls for prayer for the people of Venezuela, after the two strong earthquakes that have shaken the country, causing fatalities, serious material damage and leaving thousands of people afraid to return to their homes.
The earthquakes occurred on the afternoon of 24 June. The first earthquake of magnitude 7.2 was recorded at 6:04 p.m. (local time) and, just 39 seconds later, was followed by a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5. The two powerful tremors were felt in much of the country and caused significant damage to homes, public buildings and churches.
Among the affected buildings are numerous churches, parish houses and Church institutions, many of which have suffered serious structural damage and, at the same time, have opened their doors to welcome families who cannot return to their homes.
Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo of Caracas toured the affected parishes for hours to personally assess the situation: “I have just returned from a tour of several parishes. Many of them have serious structural damage,” the archbishop explained to ACN.
According to Archbishop Biord, among the most affected churches are the Cathedral of Caracas and about a dozen other parishes, although the communication difficulties caused by power and internet cuts still make it impossible to know the full extent of the damage. “In Ñauralí the roof of the right nave fell in. The church and the parish house of Pagüita collapsed. The parish priest was miraculously saved,” he added.
The Diocese of La Guaira has also been seriously affected. In communication with ACN, Bishop Pablo Modesto González Pérez of La Guaira explained that the diocesan seminary, supported annually by ACN, has been seriously damaged by the earthquake: “We are without electricity and we have all been affected. In the seminary, many walls collapsed. Now we are in the parking lot of the sports stadium, waiting for the firefighters to evaluate the building to find out what we are going to do. Thank God there have been no serious problems with the priests, although several churches have suffered significant damage. Two buildings in front of the seminary collapsed. We have just returned from visiting Ciudad Chávez, where ACN supported the construction of the church, there is a population of about 20,000 people, where most of the housing blocks have suffered serious damage. Thank God they did not collapse.”
Although no casualties have been reported among priests, deacons, seminarians or religious sisters, Archbishop Biord confirmed that there have been fatalities in different places due to the collapse of buildings and walls. The archbishop of Caracas also pointed out that the human toll could have been much worse: “Thank God it was a day off. If it had been a weekday, with schools, offices and shops open, the number of victims would have been much higher.”
Despite the damage, the Church has already activated its emergency response: “Many parishes have received people to spend the night in their facilities. We have already activated a solidarity network through the parish Caritas. From tomorrow, inspections will be carried out to determine which temples can be reopened. May God help us and grant us the necessary consolation to accompany our people in these difficult times.”
ACN remains in permanent contact with the local Church while the assessment of the damage and the most urgent needs continue. Archbishop Biord thanked ACN for their accompaniment and prayers.
For his part, Marco Mencaglia, Director of Project at ACN, stressed the importance of remaining close to the Venezuelan Church at this time: “Venezuela has been a priority country for our charity for many years. The priority now is the people. The Church is doing what it has always done in times of crisis: opening its doors, accompanying those who have lost everything and bringing hope where fear has settled. We ask all our benefactors and friends to keep Venezuela in their prayers.”
“We do not yet know the full extent of the damage. As communications are restored and technical inspections progress, we will be able to better understand the needs of the Church and the communities it serves. On the part of cACN, we are committed to continue accompanying the Church in these difficult times with our help and prayers, ” Mencaglia concluded.
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