La Guaira parish priest: Never stop praying for Venezuela

By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari

Amid collapsed buildings, families still waiting for news of missing loved ones, and entire communities struggling to rebuild their lives, the Church in La Guaira continues to stand beside those affected by the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, 24 June.

Father Antonio Rella, parish priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, says it is still difficult to grasp the full extent of the disaster because of restricted access to many areas and the sheer scale of the destruction.

“The devastation was enormous,” he says. “Some places resemble war zones, while others bring to mind apocalyptic scenes, with entire buildings reduced to rubble.”

Between hope and mourning

Fifteen days after the earthquakes, many families continue to cling to the hope of finding their missing relatives alive. Others have faced the heartbreaking reality of recovering only the remains of their loved ones.

“There is still tremendous hope among so many families,” the priest says, recalling the recent rescue of two sisters who were pulled alive from beneath the rubble.

The uncertainty, he explains, extends beyond the emotional toll. It also affects the most basic necessities, including access to water, food and economic security. Although some businesses have reopened, commercial activity remains limited, and countless people have lost their livelihoods.

“We are facing a very difficult situation,” he says.

A parish transformed into a relief centre

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish sustained only minor damage compared with other communities in the diocese. Although several religious statues fell and the altar was damaged, the church itself remained structurally sound.

The situation is very different in neighbouring parishes. The cathedral suffered extensive damage, and several churches will have to be demolished because of the effects of the earthquakes.

Because the parish church remained standing, it has become a key centre for emergency relief.

“The parish has become a gathering place for the priests and also a distribution centre for aid to neighbouring communities,” Father Rella explains.

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Aid distribution in the La Guaira parish

Solidarity from within Venezuela and beyond

The priest highlights the extraordinary outpouring of solidarity from across Venezuela and from many countries around the world.

“I cannot remember witnessing a tragedy of this magnitude,” he says, expressing gratitude for the many humanitarian initiatives that have followed.

He acknowledges, however, that relief efforts during the first few days were marked by a degree of disorganisation because of the scale of the emergency and the simultaneous arrival of numerous organisations and institutions.

In that context, he underscores the role played by Caritas Venezuela, whose diocesan and parish network enabled the rapid mobilisation of resources and volunteers.

“The first organisation to respond immediately was Caritas,” he emphasises.

The greatest challenge: accompanying those who suffer

Beyond distributing food and medicine, providing spiritual care has become one of the greatest challenges facing the priests of the diocese.

“It is not easy not to put yourself in another person’s place. It is practically impossible not to empathise,” Father Rella admits.

Among the many experiences that have deeply affected him, he recalls the case of a grandmother desperately searching for her granddaughter, who remained trapped beneath the rubble.

He also remembers the funeral Masses recently celebrated for several victims of the earthquakes, including a child just one year old.

“Finding the right words to shed the light of faith on such a reality is no easy task,” he says.

Rebuilding churches and restoring hope

The priest compares the current situation with the devastating Vargas mudslides of 1999, an experience which, he says, demonstrated the resilience of the Venezuelan people.

“This is not my first rodeo,” he remarks.

Among the priorities of the local Church is the reconstruction of churches, seen not simply as buildings but as places of encounter, consolation and prayer for their communities.

“I always tell my parishioners that this is their home,” the parish priest says. “They can come here whenever they wish to praise God, to thank Him, or even to argue with Him.”

Alongside rebuilding places of worship, he believes it is essential to strengthen the spiritual and psychological support offered both to the faithful and to pastoral workers, who have themselves suffered the consequences of the disaster. This ministry is carried out by ordained ministers together with lay men and women who serve in the Church.

Water and food remain the most urgent needs

On the material level, the most pressing needs continue to be food and access to safe drinking water.

Many residents depended for their livelihoods on activities linked to Maiquetía International Airport, the Port of La Guaira or small local businesses, many of which are now closed or destroyed.

“Some people did not lose their homes, but they did lose their income and no longer have any means of supporting themselves,” Father Rella explains.

Although donations of medicines have been plentiful and the parish has even established a community medicine bank, ensuring a steady supply of food will remain the greatest priority in the weeks ahead.

Finally, Father Antonio expresses his gratitude to all those—individuals and institutions alike—who have supported the victims of the earthquakes. He also asks that solidarity not fade as media attention moves elsewhere.

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“As the aid inevitably begins to decrease, we will still need that extra helping hand to get back on our feet and begin the work of rebuilding,” he says.

He also offers a message of hope to Venezuelans living abroad, who continue to follow events in their homeland with deep concern.

Finally, he makes a simple yet deeply heartfelt appeal to all people of goodwill. “Never stop praying for Venezuela,” he appeals, “Not everyone can help materially, but a daily prayer for us is worth so much, because it reaches the throne of God, where it bears fruit.”

He concludes with words that capture the spirit with which the Church continues to accompany those affected:

“Faith does not make things easy; it simply makes them possible, because it gives us the strength in our souls to keep moving forward.”

Venezuelans involved in rescue and aid efforts after the 24 June earthquakes