The Church in Valle del Cauca continues its mission of accompaniment, comfort, and hope one month after the earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August, as its material and emotional consequences remain deeply felt. Priests, religious sisters, and pastoral agents remain alongside affected communities in Cali and several municipalities across the department as the long road to reconstruction begins.
In Cali, one of the cities hardest hit, Father Luis Alberto Ríos serves around 9,000 people at Saint Teresa of Jesus parish in the south of Valle del Cauca. Material devastation left entire neighborhoods in overwhelming silence. Across the Archdiocese of Cali, 40 churches were damaged, 10 severely, and some completely destroyed. In his parish, the roof collapsed, forcing Masses, sacraments, and pastoral care to move to a tent in a nearby park. Father Luis Alberto emphasizes that the Church functions as a «spiritual hospital»:
“is a sign that Jesus himself has gone out into the streets to meet the people”.
Structural damage and pastoral outreach of the Church in Valle del Cauca
The earthquake’s impact was also severe in the Diocese of Palmira. Bishop Rodrigo Gallego reported that 11 parish churches were affected, requiring demolitions in towns such as Restrepo, Yotoco, Vijes, and Darién, where five children tragically lost their lives. He also warned of widespread destruction in rural areas where farming homes collapsed. Despite the destruction of historical churches, Bishop Gallego stated that «the Church is still alive and remains,» adapting pastoral care to community halls and public spaces.
In the Diocese of Cartago, which encompasses 16 municipalities, Bishop César Alcides Balbín noted that around 20 churches were severely damaged, with another 20 requiring major repairs. During field visits, he found priests actively working alongside the population:
“the fundamental role of the Church in this emergency is and will be to offer companionship, support and comfort, and to provide a place of refuge”.
He stressed that maintaining Sunday Mass remains a priority to give the population the spiritual strength needed for long-term recovery.
Testimonies of faith and rebuilding the soul
The Church’s presence as a refuge is embodied in those who stayed beside others during the disaster. Sister Andaris Flores, a Missionary of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus in La Victoria, recalled that when her school and convent suffered severe damage on 10 August, she chose not to evacuate. She stayed on the second floor to remain with an 83-year-old sister unable to navigate the stairs, praying on her knees as the earth roared and debris fell.
Now temporarily housed by a local family, Sister Andaris looks to the future, noting that beyond physical repairs, the true long-term task will be healing emotional wounds and «work on rebuilding the soul».
