Paraguay Cardinal Offers Prayer for Venezuela, Announces Solidarity Collection

Cardinal Adalberto Martínez of Paraguay has offered a "very special prayer" for Venezuela, a nation recently struck by powerful earthquakes. The devastating tremors on June 24 resulted in at least 2,954 deaths and left over 16,500 people injured.

“

Today we want to offer a very special prayer for the dear Venezuelan people, who have recently suffered the consequences of a strong earthquake.

During his Sunday homily, Cardinal Martínez expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, praying for the deceased, the injured, and those who lost everything. He also extended prayers to those involved in rescue and reconstruction efforts. The Church in Paraguay is organizing a solidarity collection to support those affected by the disaster.

“

We pray for those who have died, for the injured, for the families who have lost everything, and for those who work in rescue and reconstruction tasks. Our Church in Paraguay is carrying out a solidarity collection to help our brothers.

Cardinal Martínez urged divine assistance for the Venezuelan people to find "consolation and hope" as the search for survivors under the rubble continues. Venezuela experienced two consecutive earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, eleven days prior. These quakes caused severe damage to buildings in the capital, Caracas, and the coastal state of La Guaira, the epicenter of the tragedy. Official figures indicate that the tremors impacted 856 buildings, with 190 completely collapsing.

“

We pray to God that he may help the Venezuelan people find consolation and hope in moments when hopes of finding survivors under the rubble are running out.