Father General sends a message of solidarity to the Andean-Caribbean Province and to the entire Venezuelan people.
The Redemptorist community in Venezuela continues to assess the consequences of the powerful earthquake that struck the country. In a meeting with the Office of the General Secretariat, Fr. Gonzalo Becerra, C.Ss.R., announced that all his confreres are safe. Although the house and church in Caracas suffered extensive material damage, the community in Valencia also suffered structural damage to the church, which will need to be assessed by the competent authorities. Currently, no casualties have been reported among the Redemptorist community members.
While the communities of San Cristóbal, Mérida, Barquisimeto, and Valencia did not suffer significant damage, in Caracas the earthquake caused the parapets of the Redemptorist house’s terrace to collapse and damaged the church, particularly the stained-glass windows and one of the towers. Although the building’s supporting structure appears stable, a technical inspection will be necessary before the church can reopen for worship.
One of the most pressing emergencies is the lack of drinking water. Falling debris destroyed the pumping system and main pipes, forcing the community to temporarily rely on a small auxiliary tank. Electricity, telephone, and gas services have since been restored. Church and Redemptorist house in Caracas.
The situation in the capital remains worrying. A residential building collapsed a few hundred meters from the parish, and severe structural damage has been reported in several neighborhoods. The situation is particularly critical in La Guaira, where the collapse of numerous buildings has caused serious consequences and continues to challenge rescue teams.
Despite the ongoing aftershocks, Fr. Gonzalo Becerra wanted to convey a message of hope: “For now, we are fine, thank God,” expressing his gratitude for the support and prayers the Redemptorist community is receiving from all over the world.
Faced with this tragedy, the Superior General, Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., sent a message of solidarity to Fr. Mauricio Monroy, Provincial Superior of the Andean-Caribbean Province, expressing the General Government’s closeness to his confreres and to the entire Venezuelan people.
In his message, the Superior General assured his prayers that Our Mother of Perpetual Help will protect the affected families, support those who have lost loved ones or property, and renew the hope of the Venezuelan people. He also thanked God for the safety of all Redemptorist missionaries and emphasized that they continue to remain close to the people, sharing their suffering and nourishing their hope, as a concrete sign of Christ’s redeeming love. While damage assessment and recovery operations continue, the entire Redemptorist family remains united in prayer for the victims, for the rescuers, and for all the affected communities, entrusting Venezuela to the protection of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and trusting that solidarity and hope will contribute to the reconstruction of the lives of those enduring this difficult ordeal.
Fr. Edward Chacón, C.Ss.R.
Iloilo, Philippines, June 25, 2026
FR. MAURICIO MONROY, C.SS.R.
PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR OF THE ANDEAN-CARRIBEAN PROVINCE
Dear Fr. Mauricio,
Through you, on behalf of the General Government and myself, I wish to convey our closeness and solidarity to all our confreres of the Andean-Caribbean Province and, in particular, to the dear Venezuelan people, who have endured so many years of suffering with admirable fortitude and who today find themselves once again facing a new catastrophe.
From the Church of San Clemente and Our Mother of Perpetual Help, here in Iloilo, I raised a prayer that Our Mother of Perpetual Help spread her protective mantle over all, support the affected families, comfort those who have lost loved ones or their possessions and renew the hope of the entire Venezuelan people.
As far as I know, several of our communities have suffered material damage. I thank God that all our brothers are well. They remain close to the people, sharing their suffering, sustaining their hope, and serving generously, following the example of Mary, who remained at the foot of Jesus’ cross (see John 19:25). Their presence among the people is a living sign of Christ’s redeeming love, which never abandons those who are going through times of trial.
May Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Saint Alphonsus, Saint Gerard, Saint Clement, and all our saints, martyrs, and blesseds intercede for Venezuela, protect our confreres, and support those who, in a spirit of service, work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of those most affected and rebuild hope.
Fraternally,
Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R.
Superior General
