The Daily Journal — The Archdiocese of Caracas announced Wednesday during a press conference that 19% of the churches inspected across the metropolitan area have sustained significant structural damage as a result of the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
The technical assessment, conducted jointly with the College of Engineers of Venezuela (CIV), included inspections of 27 churches in Caracas, Chacao, Baruta, and El Hatillo.
According to the findings, inspectors classified 6 churches (22%) as green (safe for occupancy with no structural damage), 16 churches (59%) as yellow (restricted use because of minor damage or falling decorative elements that require mitigation), and 5 churches (19%) as red (access restricted because of severe structural damage).
The churches under preventive closure and requiring comprehensive structural assessments are San José de Ñaraulí (Cotiza – Altagracia Deanery), Nuestra Señora de La Merced (Downtown Caracas), San Juan María Vianney (La Silsa – Propatria Deanery), Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (San Martín), and Santa Rosalía de Palermo (El Hatillo).
Churches in the yellow category have experienced the loss of decorative elements, surface cracks, and damage to non-structural components. Authorities have allowed limited use while mitigation and repair work continues. Churches in the green category may continue normal operations and require only preventive maintenance.
Father Neptalí Balza, Vicar General and Director of Infrastructure, presented a five-phase recovery plan. The first phase includes emergency shoring and the installation of a visible occupancy status indicator—described as a habitability traffic light—at the entrance of each church.
The remaining phases include detailed assessments through partnerships with academic institutions; earthquake-resistant engineering designs using compatible technologies such as carbon fiber, mortar injection, and structural tensioning systems; reconstruction that preserves reusable artistic elements; and a long-term preventive maintenance program.
On July 20, the Archdiocese met with the president of the Institute of Cultural Heritage (IPC), representatives from the Ministry of Culture, and Fundapatrimonio of the Caracas Mayor’s Office to present the assessment results and coordinate restoration work for historic buildings. Church officials also continue to coordinate with the municipalities of Caracas, Chacao, Baruta, and El Hatillo.
Alongside the structural assessments, the Archdiocese provided humanitarian assistance and pastoral support to the affected communities. Volunteers distributed 490 metric tons of relief supplies, while more than 500 volunteers participated in the response. Even so, church officials focused the press conference primarily on the critical condition of the ecclesiastical infrastructure and the rehabilitation strategy.
At the close of the press conference, Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Márquez said Venezuela would rise “glorious and more united in solidarity” in the face of the disaster, urging unity and collective efforts to support the country’s recovery.
