Episcopal leaders offer prayers and support for Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes

[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal and Anglican leaders are calling for prayers and offering support after back-to-back major earthquakes in Venezuela killed at least 188 people and injured at least 1,500 others while causing widespread damages to buildings and structures. Hundreds of people remained trapped under rubble as of June 25.

“We pray for the Venezuelan people, asking for God’s protection and safety over every life, every family and every community,” Central Ecuador Bishop Juan Carlos Quiñonez Mera said in a June 24 Facebook post. “May the Lord bring peace, comfort and calm to their hearts amidst the circumstances they are facing.”

The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela near Caracas, the capital, 39 seconds apart on June 24. Maiquetía “Simón Bolívar” International Airport was severely damaged and closed indefinitely. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency.

Episcopal Relief & Development has been communicating with partners in Venezuela who are responding to on-the-ground recovery efforts, according to its website.

The Diocese of Venezuela, which is part of The Episcopal Church’s Province IX, has nine clergy serving 15 organized missions throughout the South American country’s 23 states.

Litoral Ecuador Bishop Cristóbal Olmedo León Lozano serves as the provisional bishop of Venezuela.

ENS attempted to reach Lozano by WhatsApp, and coverage of the disaster will be updated upon receiving a response. Quiñonez Mera said in his Facebook post that Lozano has called for prayers for the country.

Church leaders have been communicating with Lozano and Episcopalians in Venezuela to address their immediate and long-term needs, according to the Rev. David Ulloa Chavez, The Episcopal Church’s partnership officer for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“We are thankful that Episcopal Relief & Development is assessing needs in order assist with a humanitarian response,” Chavez told ENS in an email. “We join with Episcopalians and our ecumenical partners in the region as together we all pray for Venezuela.”

The earthquakes also struck less than six months after the U.S. military attacked Venezuela and removed President Nicolás Maduro from office to face criminal charges in the United States. While in office, Maduro was accused of human rights abuses and other violations. Venezuela also has been facing an economic crisis for more than a decade.

Dozens of countries, including the United States, have offered financial and recovery assistance after the earthquakes. Search-and-rescue teams have been deployed to Venezuela to support relief efforts.

Other Episcopal bishops from Latin America have offered their prayers and support for Venezuela.

“On behalf of the Diocese of Puerto Rico, I wish to express our love, solidarity and prayers to our Venezuelan brothers and sisters – particularly to the Diocese of Venezuela, Bishop Cristóbal and everyone there,” Puerto Rico Bishop Rafael Morales Maldonado said in a June 24 Facebook post. “Venezuela has a strong soul. God and we are with you!”

In a June 25 Facebook post, Dominican Republic Bishop Moisés Quezada Mota highlighted his Caribbean diocese’s historically close relationship with the Diocese of Venezuela:

“The Dominican Episcopal Church expresses its solidarity and shares in the grief weighing upon [Venezuela] and its diocese,” he said. “We are also praying that God grants you the strength and courage to face the days ahead.”

Several bishops in the United States also offered prayers on social media. Los Angeles Bishop John Harvey Taylor called for additional prayers for the family of Los Angeles Bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo, who is from Venezuela. Gallardo still has family, including his mother, siblings and cousins, living in Venezuela.

“Almighty God, we lift our prayers to you for the people of Venezuela, especially those mourning loved ones, those trapped, injured or otherwise in danger,” Taylor said in a June 25 Facebook post.

Gallardo is scheduled to be ordained and consecrated as the Los Angeles bishop diocesan on July 11.

The Anglican Communion also offered prayers for Venezuela and the Diocese of Venezuela in a June 25 Facebook post, as well as gratitude for “emergency responders, medical teams, local authorities, churches and community organizations offering help, shelter and care as survivors continue to be found in the rubble”:

“God of mercy, draw near to all who are afraid, grieving or facing uncertainty. Strengthen those who are in positions of leadership or responding with courage and compassion. Protect those still in danger, comfort those who mourn and guide all who work to bring relief, healing and hope.”

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.