The Presidency of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference has called for this Sunday, June 28 a National Day of Prayer for the victims, the injured, the families and the communities affected by the earthquakes that shook Venezuela last Wednesday, June 24, especially in the country’s central-northern region.
In their statement, the Venezuelan bishops express their closeness to all the people who are suffering and raise their prayer “for the eternal rest of the deceased, we implore divine consolation for their families and loved ones, and we ask for the swift recovery of all the injured”. They also express their solidarity with the hardest-hit areas, including Caracas, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Morón, Tucacas and other affected regions.
The Church in Venezuela invites all dioceses, parishes and Christian communities to join this day, so that the shared prayer may be “a balm that eases anguish and kindles hope in every brother and sister who suffers”.
The Order of Augustinian Recollects joins this call and extends a special invitation to its communities, ministries, parishes, schools and social works to take part in this National Day of Prayer. In Venezuela, it will be an especially meaningful day for all the communities of the Order, who will unite in ecclesial communion to pray for the victims and to accompany the Venezuelan people spiritually in this time of sorrow.
The provincial vicar in Venezuela, Fray Eddy Polo, has encouraged all Augustinian Recollect communities, both in Venezuela and in other countries, to join this initiative of the Venezuelan Church. His invitation seeks to make visible the communion of the entire Augustinian Recollect Family with those who suffer the consequences of this tragedy, recalling that prayer is also a concrete way of closeness, consolation and hope.
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference has also asked for the public’s solidarity and cooperation with drinking water, non-perishable food, medicines and clothing in good condition, intended to provide immediate assistance to those affected. Financial donations can be channelled through Cáritas Venezuela.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
Psalm 46:1
Trusting in the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, patroness of Venezuela, the Church asks for strength to overcome this trial and to remain united in fraternal love.
Meanwhile, ARCORES Venezuela and ARCORES International continue the work of organising the aid that is arriving, both from within the country and from abroad.
