Peru: Historic churches were severely damaged following the earthquakes

24

(OSV News) – After a pair of earthquakes struck Peru’s mountainous Junin region, the country’s Catholic Church has expressed its solidarity with the families of the victims and is coordinating humanitarian aid to help the victims, as well as efforts to preserve damaged historic churches.

“We join in the grief of the families mourning their loved ones, we lift up our prayers for the eternal repose of the dead, and we ask the Lord to give strength, comfort and hope to all,” the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference said in a statement published on July 19.

According to Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute, at least five people were killed and 32 others injured after two 5.1- and 3.7-magnitude earthquakes struck on July 18 in Chupaca province, located about 186 miles east of the Peruvian capital, Lima.

Dozens of homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable in the wake of the quake, and several public buildings, including two churches, the institute said, adding that the quake also caused damage in Huancayo and Huancavelica.

Caritas is actively involved in the first response People walk past destroyed homes in Junin, Peru, July 19, 2026, following the 5.1 magnitude earthquake that struck central Peru. An earthquake struck Peru’s Andean region on July 18, killing at least five people, injuring more than 30 and displacing hundreds, authorities said. (OSV News Photo/Yershon Failaka, Reuters)

The Diocese of Huancayo said it is coordinating humanitarian efforts through its Caritas office and is “actively participating in first response efforts.”

In a statement published on July 19, the diocese said that Archbishop Luis Alberto Huaman Camayo of Huancayo traveled to the city of Pomonia, which also suffered severe damage, “to support the affected residents, express the church’s solidarity, and coordinate relief efforts with the authorities and emergency teams present in the area.”

“Through Caritas Huancayo, humanitarian aid consisting of non-perishable food, water, blankets, utensils, stoves and other essential items was distributed, with the aim of providing immediate assistance to families who lost their homes or were severely damaged by the earthquake,” the statement read.

Historic churches damaged in Peruvian earthquakes

The diocese is also assessing damage to several churches and properties, including the El Copon Church in Pampunia and the Church of St. James the Apostle in Chungos Bago.

According to the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, both religious buildings are national cultural heritage sites.

“The Church of St. James the Apostle in Chungos Bago, built in the 16th century, suffered particularly severe damage, including the partial collapse of the roof and part of the plinth,” the bishops said. “The bell tower is also at risk of collapse, and therefore the necessary measures are being coordinated to protect this important expression of the country’s historical and religious heritage.”

Debris is seen outside a destroyed church in Chuboro, Peru, on July 19, 2026, following the 5.1 magnitude earthquake that struck central Peru. An earthquake rocked Peru’s Andean region on July 18, killing at least five people, injuring more than 30 and displacing hundreds, authorities said. (OSV News photo/Yershon Vilca, Reuters)

The conference also said that the Diocese of Huancayo is coordinating efforts with the Cultural Office of Junin as well as with the Peruvian Civil Defense Office “to conduct the technical assessment of the affected churches and adopt the necessary measures to ensure their preservation and the safety of the faithful.”

“The Catholic Church reaffirms its commitment to accompany the affected communities and to promote unity and solidarity in these times of emergency,” the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference said.

The statement added: “It also calls for continued support for affected families and coordination of efforts in the recovery and reconstruction of affected areas, as well as in protecting the religious heritage that forms part of the history and identity of these communities.”

Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on @Xjae_journalist.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos