Colombian Archbishop: ‘The earthquake was extremely devastating’

By Johan Pacheco

“The emblematic image of [this entire situation] was Manizales Cathedral, a very important symbol of this region of the country. It is a Neo-Gothic building that suffered serious damage. One of its auxiliary towers collapsed,” Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez of Manizales, Colombia, said in an interview with Vatican News following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on August 10, killing more than 200 people and leaving hundreds injured, according to the latest official reports.

A damaged building and a car following an earthquake in Manizales, Caldas Department, Colombia   (AFP or licensors)

“What we experienced with the earthquake was extremely shocking. This is a seismic zone, and therefore it is not unusual for tremors to be felt from time to time. But this one was exceptionally violent; it seemed as though it was going to bring down absolutely everything built on the ground,” Archbishop Gómez said.

Churches affected by the earthquake

Regarding the damage caused, Archbishop Gómez Rodríguez said that “there was serious damage to homes” in the area, leaving many people homeless. As for churches and other ecclesial buildings, he estimates that “half of them suffered serious damage.”

“In particular,” the archbishop explained, “the emblematic image of all this was Manizales Cathedral, a very important symbol of this region of the country. It is a Neo-Gothic building that suffered severe damage. One of its auxiliary towers – one of its secondary towers – collapsed and came to rest against the main structure of the church. We are waiting for an assessment by professionals because, for now, that area is closed to the public and even to priests.”

Damage sustained by Manizales Cathedral in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Manizales, Colombia   (AFP or licensors)

Charity and solidarity

In the aftermath of the earthquake, the response was swift: “The Church immediately offered assistance through the Food Bank.”

“Moved by a spirit of Christian charity and solidarity, many people were also ready and willing to begin helping. In fact, people have already gone to the Food Bank to make urgent and immediate donations,” he said.

According to the Archbishop of Manizales, the population’s most pressing needs concern housing. Some people have lost everything, while others must wait for buildings to be assessed before they can return home. “The second major need is, of course, food for these first few days, because there will certainly be a shortage,” the archbishop said. Later, there will be a need for “household goods and basic necessities for those who have lost everything.”

Gratitude for the Pope’s closeness

Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez expressed his gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s message of solidarity: “It represents a paternal kindness and closeness that here, particularly among this Colombian people and in this region of the country, are felt as the help and companionship of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the shepherd of his Church, and as an encouragement to keep moving forward.” 

The will to rebuild

Closing, the Archbishop of Manizales offered a message of hope:

“In circumstances and at moments that are truly terrifying, what remains in the soul immediately after such an event is the desire that those who suffer in their bodies, their possessions, or their families receive immediate assistance. There is so much suffering. Secondly, there is the desire to begin rebuilding immediately. Even while the rubble is still being cleared, there is a determination to move forward, to put things right again, and even to strengthen them.”

“And here we are, trying to praise and bless the Lord even in these circumstances,” he concluded.