Helping survivors comes first – rebuilding churches can wait, says archbishop
Support for earthquake survivors most take priority over Church buildings according to the archbishop whose diocese was at the centre of the devastating double earthquake that hit Venezuela a month ago.
Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas praised priests and other Church workers who have made accompanying survivors their top concern, despite churches lying in ruins.
He said: “We have over 35 damaged churches and Church buildings in La Guaira and Caracas – but the Church is more than buildings, and we are present in the streets, visiting the people and taking consolation to hospitals, food to the tents, and celebrating the sacraments in the street with the people.”
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans continue to face uncertainty following the disaster on 24th June.
Official estimates place the death toll between 4,000 and 5,000. More than 30,000 remain missing as rubble continues to be cleared, while a similar number have become homeless.
Archbishop Biord said: “People want to give their loved ones a holy burial. Some resist giving up as some are under the rubble of buildings that were 14 or 15 storeys. The huge priority at the moment is to accompany the people…
“As Christians, and as Church, we have been present in the street since day one.
The archbishop said many families had lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods, particularly in La Guaira, where tourism and port activities provided employment for much of the population.
In response, seminarians, priests and parish volunteers have become a constant presence in temporary shelters and devastated neighbourhoods.
Archbishop Biord highlighted the efforts of seminarians from Caracas and surrounding dioceses, who have spent their days accompanying survivors and supporting those struggling with grief and trauma.
Alongside practical assistance, including food, medicine and emergency supplies distributed through Caritas, Church workers are providing emotional and spiritual support to those who have lost family members, homes and communities.
The archbishop said: “It is also important to take consolation and spiritual aid.
“There are some very tough stories and people are grateful when the priest or deacon arrives, as they feel it makes God present.”
Looking towards an uncertain future, the Church leader stressed that rebuilding must start with people who are profoundly traumatised rather than infrastructure.
Archbishop Biord said: “First, we need to rebuild lives and stories. Later we can rebuild infrastructure, starting with hospitals and schools.”
He said many priests, religious Sisters, deacons and volunteers serving affected communities have themselves suffered losses, including damaged homes and the deaths of loved ones – and that these frontline carers must be supported if they are to continue helping others.
This was echoed by Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Márquez of Caracas, who said the most important contribution could not be measured in financial terms.
He said: “We are trying to be agents of Heaven in Venezuela. When they talk to us we want to convey a message of hope that God doesn’t abandon us, he doesn’t leave us alone – he works with us, that is our belief….
“We might not be able to rebuild buildings, but we can be the hands and voice of God to convey hope to our people.”
When the tragedy first struck Venezuela, ACN pledged £86,000 (€100,000) in immediate support.
The charity’s international executive president, Regina Lynch, said more help is on the way.
She added: “A delegation from our project department will travel to Venezuela soon and meet with the Church there to listen to them.
“By then they will have drawn up a list of priorities, and it will be easier for us to announce the next package, which will certainly be much higher than the initial €100,000.”
