13 Church Temples Damaged During the Earthquake. A Message of Solidarity Received.

The Episcopal Conference of Panama (Catholic Church) issued a message of support and solidarity to the Panamanian people on Saturday following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that damaged at least 13 churches and left about 30 people with minor injuries. 

Message from the Catholic Church.

“In the midst of this trial, let us remember that we are a people of faith and generous hearts. Panama has known how to rise up in difficult times because, when a brother or sister suffers, there are always hands ready to help. Today we need to once again show that face of solidarity of our people, where no one is indifferent to the pain of another and where those most in need find a helping hand,” the Episcopal Conference said in a statement.  They also urged the population to “remain calm, take care of each other and follow the guidance of the competent authorities, avoiding unverified information that may increase concern,” paying special attention to children, the elderly, the sick, the disabled and the most vulnerable families. 

The earthquake, whose epicenter was located near the town of Tonosí, in the southwest of the country, had a magnitude of 7.7 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), although the Institute of Geosciences (IGC) of Panama lowered it to 7.5, while aftershocks continue, more than a hundred.  The Episcopal Conference asked its priests and other religious to remain attentive to the needs of their communities and that “parishes, where security conditions allow, be true homes with open doors, where people find welcome.”  The Panamanian government reported this Saturday that assessments are continuing throughout the country, reinforced in the central provinces of Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas, the most affected and closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, and they put the number of residences reviewed at 426 in which damage ranging from minor to total was detected. 

Also, some 419 educational centers, out of a universe of more than 3,000 throughout the country, were affected.  The latest report did not provide details on the total number of churches affected, something that was done in a report last night, which stated that 13 temples were damaged in five provinces.  Among them is the San Juan Bautista Cathedral in Penonomé pictured above, in the center of the country, where one of the two towers collapsed due to the earthquake, precisely at the moment when several priests and the bishop of the municipality, Edgardo Cedeño, were holding a meeting, as the prelate told news media. 

Also in the historic town of La Villa de Los Santos, on the Azuero peninsula, the area most affected by the earthquake, the church that overlooks the main square was damaged.  The Church of Saint Athanasius pictured above and below in better days, is inaccessible because cracks run down all its walls, and the top level of the bell tower is gone. It collapsed onto the street when the earth shook violently.  Rafael Valdivieso, the bishop of Chitré, also on the Azuero peninsula, issued a statement expressing “closeness, prayer and solidarity with all the affected families.”  “Brothers, let us remain calm, avoid rumors, and not allow fear to steal our hope. Our land has been shaken, but our brotherhood must remain strong,” Valdivieso said.