“You are not alone: there is a people and a Church walking beside you”
(Message from the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference)
On June 24, 2026, shortly after 6:00 PM, Venezuela was struck by a seismic event of unprecedented proportions. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 39 seconds apart, affecting nearly the entire country. Immediately following the quake, the electrical system collapsed and telecommunications networks were out of service, making communications extremely difficult during the most critical hours.
As our Superior General recalled that the people of Venezuela who have endured so many years of suffering with admirable fortitude and today find themselves facing a new catastrophe.
It is difficult to describe in words what we experienced. The violence of the earthquake was accompanied by a deafening roar that preceded the collapse of buildings, the shattering of glass, and the anguished cries of thousands of people seeking safety. In the cities of Caracas, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Morón, Tucacas, and many other places, the collapse of buildings and infrastructure left a deep trail of pain and despair.
Given the gravity of the situation, emergency protocols were immediately activated. Civil authorities, along with thousands of volunteers, are engaged in rescue operations and debris removal. It is with deep sorrow that we must communicate that, at the time of writing, a young member of the Redemptorist Youth and Vocational Ministry (RYVM) is still missing along with her mother following the collapse of their home. Official figures also indicate 920 victims and over 3,360 injured. These are images that will remain etched in all of our memories and that invite us to intensify our prayers and solidarity.
Regarding our pastoral mission, the confreres have been trying since the first hours to contact all the Redemptorist communities to assess their situation. We thank God that we do not have to mourn any human loss among our confreres, even though several communities have suffered material damage.
In Valencia, the earthquake caused the collapse of a wall and several masonry structures, which will need to be rebuilt before the church reopens to the faithful. In Caracas, however, the Sanctuary reported the loss of historic stained-glass windows, damage to the bell tower, and some damage to the community house, particularly on the terraces and some walls. Overall, the country’s other communities present a stable structural situation.
Despite the tragedy, the Venezuelan people are offering an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity. Collection and assistance centers have sprung up across the country, while the Church, through Caritas Venezuela, dioceses, and parishes, has mobilized personnel and resources to support the most affected populations.
We express our deepest gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who expressed his closeness to the Venezuelan people and sent the first humanitarian aid. Numerous countries have also joined in this effort, providing specialized personnel and resources to address the emergency.
We would also like to thank the Superior General, Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., who is constantly monitoring the situation, as well as the Provincial Superiors of the Congregation for their closeness, prayers, and offers of assistance. A special thanks goes to the Provincial, Fr. Mauricio Monroy, and all the confreres of the Andean-Caribbean Province, as well as the Redemptorists present in the Venezuelan communities, who have chosen to remain close to the people, supporting them with prayer and transforming our parishes into reception centers and gathering places for families who have lost everything.
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference has declared a National Day of Prayer for June 28, 2026, for all earthquake victims and all those affected by this tragedy.
We entrust Venezuela to the Lord and to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of the Nation, so that she may accompany her people in this time of trial. We ask for the gift of peace, consolation, and hope; eternal rest for those who have lost their lives, a speedy recovery for the injured, and the strength needed for the country to find the path of reconciliation, unity, and reconstruction.
In Jesus, Mary, and Saint Alphonsus,
Redemptorists of Venezuela
