Devastating Earthquake in Colombia

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, leading to the collapse of one of the tallest cathedral towers in the country.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, often referred to as the Manizales Cathedral, is a significant landmark in Caldas. Built between 1928 and 1939, it stands at about 112 meters, making it Colombia’s tallest cathedral and the largest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.

This earthquake, which occurred early Monday morning, inflicted severe damage on the historic structure. Reports and video footage from both national and international media captured the moment one of the towers crumbled, ultimately leaning against the main body of the building.

As of Tuesday morning, at least 181 fatalities had been confirmed, with over 1,300 individuals reported injured due to the quake. Fortunately, there haven’t been any direct reports of injuries from the tower’s collapse.

The Archdiocese of Manizales released drone footage on Monday, highlighting the extent of the damage. While the cathedral has withstood previous earthquakes in 1962 and 1979, the archdiocese expressed their sorrow over the church’s current state. They emphasized that, despite the destruction, there is hope for restoration. “What really matters is staying united in tough times,” they stated.

“We are praying for everyone affected and for families dealing with anxiety. May we find strength and remain united through this ordeal,” the archdiocese added. They shared messages from other affected archdioceses, reiterating that even amid damage, faith and hope in God remain strong. Monsignor José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez, the Archbishop of Manizales, offered a message of solidarity for those impacted by the disaster, noting it was labeled by international outlets as the worst earthquake Colombia had faced in a century.

Pope Leo XIV extended his condolences through a message from the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He expressed sorrow for the victims and assured his prayers for swift recovery for all affected.

The Pope’s message included gratitude for those involved in search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the importance of spiritual strength and hope for the Colombian people.

Colombian newspapers reported that the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary had earlier survived two significant fires nearly a century ago. The first was on July 3, 1925, which was extinguished with community efforts, but another fire in 1926 completely devastated the church.

Laura Cardona, a resident of Manizales, recounted her experience during the quake. “I just halted and embraced the person next to me, praying for a quick end to this ordeal,” she shared. Describing her walk to the cathedral, she remarked on seeing the fallen tower, the missing statue of Christ, and the sorrowful faces of people around her. “It felt truly tragic and was like nothing I had ever witnessed,” she said.

Reports indicated that the earthquake also caused extensive damage to various Catholic churches throughout Colombia. A church in the Manizales area experienced a roof collapse, while another in Buga was temporarily closed due to cracks and falling debris.