Tony and Maria Vidal, parishioners of Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, have friends, siblings, and even one of their own children living among the wreckage of Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes.
Maria herself was born in Venezuela. “It was very shocking to hear [about the earthquake],” she said. “The last one there was when I was only five years old, and it was around a 6.6 on the Richter scale. These ones [on June 24, measuring 7.2 and 7.5] were really terrifying. I have a lot of relatives still there, including siblings, nephews, and nieces. One particular nephew of mine had to leave his apartment because the facade of the building fell, and he has not been able to go back.”
Maria had returned to Venezuela herself only six weeks prior to the earthquake to attend her mother’s funeral. The Vidals’ son, Anthony, also went to the funeral in loving support — but he did not return to the U.S. with his mother.
Anthony went to Venezuela knowing that he would have to remain for an undetermined amount of time. Although he was born in America, the Venezuelan government views Anthony as Venezuelan, and they will not let him leave without Venezuelan documents.
“He has been there for two months,” said Tony, “and the Venezuelan government has not given him his papers to leave.”
So, Anthony was in Caracas, Venezuela on June 24, only 100 miles away from the earthquakes’ epicenters when they struck.
Tony said, “Anthony is taking [the earthquakes] in stride, with what I would say is a supernatural vision. He’s been helping, and he said that ‘God put me here for a reason.’”
Anthony has spent the past nine days among the worst of the devastation, assisting volunteer groups from all over the world in relief efforts, as well as translating for various volunteers.
“He only returned to Caracas last night [July 6],” Tony said. “And he took a shower for the first time in nine days. He was living outdoors with the rescue teams, working around the clock.
“It’s been concerning to know that he is there, but we are honored, proud, and grateful that he can do something good.”
The earthquakes affected far more than the Vidal family. NASA predicts close to 59,000 buildings were severely damaged by the earthquakes. One such building is San Sebastián Catholic Church in Maiquetia, La Guaira, Venezuela. The church remains standing but is almost unrecognizable after the natural disaster.
Tony, who lived in Venezuela from kindergarten to twelfth grade, said that his childhood friend and Pastor of San Sebastián, Father Rafael Troconis, had just finished celebrating Mass in the church when the earthquakes occurred.
“Many people had already left the church,” said Tony, recounting what he learned from Father Troconis. “A few were still inside but able to escape, and some were around the parish complex. Fortunately, no one died.”
While these parishioners were blessed to survive the disaster which took thousands of lives, many of their homes suffered grave damage.
“They have no water or electricity, and many can’t return to their homes,” said Tony.
In an Instagram video, Father Troconis said: “We are counting on the help, the generosity, the prayer, and the solidarity of each and every one of you. Pray hard for us. God bless you all.” (Translated from original Spanish.)
“And that is only one parish,” Tony said. “Many churches in the Diocese of La Guaira were damaged.”
Even before the earthquakes, the country of Venezuela has been suffering. Tony explained that minimum wage and social security benefits in the country are currently “less than one dollar per month. Per month! It is almost impossible to understand. To have this double earthquake now is a very difficult trial. Please pray for Venezuela.”
The Diocese of Allentown is committed to supporting Venezuelan relief efforts. Bishop Alfred Schlert has asked all parishes to have a collection for Venezuela by the end of July. These funds will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services, an organization at the forefront of providing both hope and material assistance to those affected.
“To those who have already given aid to Venezuela, I extend my sincere gratitude,” said Bishop Schlert. “If your parish’s collection is still upcoming, I ask you to please prayerfully consider a gift for our suffering brothers and sisters.”
“We are grateful to Bishop Schlert for all the interest, love, and support he has always given us — to our family and to our country,” Maria said.
Header photo shows San Sebastián church after the earthquake. Credit: @sansebastianmaiquetia on Instagram, posted here with permission.
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