Venezuela: “Nothing will stand in the way of our mission”

Two months after an earthquake rendered their church unusable, 62 youths from a small mountain community in Venezuela received the sacrament of confirmation in a celebration held outdoors.

The Mass was presided over by Bishop Pablo Modesto González Pérez of La Guaira and
took place in the square in front of the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, in the village of Tarmas. The altar was set up near the damaged church building, and the members of the congregation occupied the square and the side street to accompany their relatives who were being confirmed. Others simply stood at the door of their houses to participate in the Mass.

The community of Tarmas is still facing the consequences of the double earthquake of June 24. The historic church, which dates to the 18th century, cannot be used since the entire roof collapsed.

Fr. Daniel Acosta, the parish priest, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that “despite the difficult circumstances and the intense heat, the young people and their families came together in an atmosphere of prayer, joy, and hope,” adding that “during the most emotional parts of the celebration, one could feel the strong spiritual connection and the renewed commitment of those who were being confirmed in their faith.”

“As the parish priest, I am grateful for having been able to celebrate this important sacrament, and I trust that, despite the challenges, the faith of our community will continue to grow and strengthen in Jesus Christ,” he stated.

The priest sees the option of celebrating outdoors as much more than simply a solution for the problem of not being able to use the actual church. “Despite the adversity, the celebration became an experience of unity and perseverance, strengthening community spirit and mutual support.”

The confirmation Mass was, therefore, a concrete sign of continuity for a parish which, despite having lost its church, continues to accompany families affected by the loss of their loved ones, homes, and jobs.

When a delegation from ACN visited the village of Tarmas, a fortnight after the earthquake, two altar servers, Luis and Alejandro, described how they had dismissed the community after Mass and were closing the doors, when the earthquakes struck and the church’s roof caved in.

The rectory and parish hall, which had been built with the support of ACN, remained intact, and Fr. Acosta has been receiving parishioners there ever since. The priest told ACN that accompanying the population had forced him to come to terms with his own pain. “In the morning, we are filled with the strength of the Lord, the spirit of God, to serve our communities as best we can. But when night comes, the heart shrinks and, since we are only human, tears flow.”

Speaking to the community, Bishop Modesto assured them that the Church will not abandon those who continue to deal with the consequences of the catastrophe.

“I want to tell each person, each family that is currently going through difficulties and moments of uncertainty, from the bottom of my heart: you are not alone,” he said.

The celebration in Tarmas was a visible expression of this continuity: the church building remains closed, but the community continues to meet to celebrate the sacraments. “Our diocese remains firm, active, and close to its people. Nothing will stand in the way of our mission,” the bishop concluded.

The earthquake struck in a country that has been marked for several years by a deep economic and social crisis. In La Guaira, many of the families that were already struggling lost their homes and their means of subsistence. The destruction of churches and parish infrastructure also affected the locations where the Church provided spiritual and material support to the population.

Since the first days following the earthquake, priests, religious, seminarians, and volunteers have taken to the streets to help the victims. Liturgical celebrations have also had to be held outdoors. ACN sent emergency aid to sustain priests, religious, and lay people who have been helping the victims in the dioceses of La Guaira and Caracas. A delegation from the foundation has just returned from a second trip to evaluate a new support package for the recovery of damaged church infrastructure.

– Amélie Berthelin & Maria Lozano