PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City hosted a vigil in support of those impacted by the devastating back-to-back earthquakes that rattled Venezuela last week, killing more than 1,400 people.
Local families carried prayers and boxes of donations into the Basilica on Sunday to support people affected by the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela.
The back-to-back quakes devastated parts of the country’s northern coast, including La Guaira state, one of the hardest-hit areas, where rescue teams and residents have been searching through collapsed buildings for survivors.
Miriam Rodrigues with the church said she organized the vigil to help bring peace of mind to those in Venezuela impacted by what she calls a series of political and now natural disasters.
“The goal today is to pray for our people in Venezuela to bring hope that there is a light at the end,” she said.
Father Dennis Gill at the church hopes prayer will offer some relief.
“We are very much aware of all that’s been happening in Venezuela, and we have a special concern for the people whose lives have been devastatingly impacted by the two earthquakes,” he said.
Those at the vigil said this was a moment to come together.
“Prayer heavy prayer. Those earthquakes are tremendous, and this is Mother Nature's work,” said Sean, an attendee.
“We all would just love to go over and help out, and we can’t, so we have to do what we can from here,” said Laylita, another attendee.
To learn how you can help, reach out to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for more information.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul brings families together to support earthquake victims as death toll tops 1,400
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul brings families together to support earthquake victims as death toll tops 1,400
