Two devastating earthquakes occurred in Caracas, Venezuela, on the evening of Wednesday, June 24th. Many people have lost their lives and many others have been seriously injured, while homes and buildings have been destroyed. While it is impossible to know the full extent of the destruction caused by the earthquakes at this point, we are very grateful that our missionaries are safe, and we ask that you please join us in keeping the people of Caracas in your prayers.
Irish Provincial Superior Fr. Joe McGee MSC shares a letter following Wednesday’s tragic events, while Brother Deiby Fuenmayor MSC writes to us directly from Venezuela.
A letter from Fr. Joe
“Tragically and regrettably, devastating earthquakes occurred in Venezuela on the evening of June 24th. Many lives have been lost and homes destroyed. We have several missionaries both Venezuelan and Irish working in Maracaibo and in Caracas. Thankfully, our missionaries in Caracas or their local parishes have not been directly impacted, with the same devastation as other parts of the city. As the earthquake occurred, they were able to evacuate the parish church where Mass was taking place. All escaped without harm. We will keep in regular contact with our missionaries and will offer assistance from our Irish resources as the situation unfolds.”
~ Fr Joe McGee MSC, Irish Provincial Superior
A letter from Brother Deiby
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We are addressing you following the strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake recorded in our capital today, June 24, at 6:05 p.m., which was followed 40 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude aftershock.
Fortunately, and thanks be to God, the infrastructure of our church, the parish house, and the halls did not suffer major damage, reporting only small cracks that are easy and inexpensive to restore. However, we deeply regret the total collapse of many homes, buildings, and sister churches across the city.
We would like to highlight that during the emergency, the faithful evacuated our church in an orderly and civic manner, allowing Father Juan Jennings, MSC, to lead a prayer of strength outside.
Tomorrow we will continue with prayers, holy hours, celebrations of the Word, and the Holy Eucharist. We will pray for the eternal rest of the deceased, the prompt recovery of the injured, and the protection of those leading the rescue efforts: Civil Protection, police, military, medical personnel, and volunteers of good will.
“Let us pray to the Lord for those affected by the strong earthquake that caused loss of life, for their eternal rest”
Finally, we inform you that both Father Juan Jennings and myself, Brother Deiby Fuenmayor, MSC, are doing well. We remain on alert and with great caution, as more than 20 aftershocks have been registered and new tremors that could exceed magnitude 5 are forecast for the coming hours.
Let us remain united in prayer and solidarity.
† Fraternally in Christ,
Brother Deiby Fuenmayor, MSC