VENEZUELA: OMP strengthens pastoral care in shelters

Eighty participants from various parishes, schools and pastoral organisations within the Archdiocese of Caracas were provided with the tools to offer psychological, spiritual and personal support in the shelters.

The Pontifical Missionary Works (OMP) Venezuela, through the Pontifical Missionary Union (PUM) and the Centre for Missionary Formati tifical (CFM), held a training workshop on Psychological and Spiritual First Aid at the premises of the Archdiocesan Curia of Caracas, with the aim of strengthening the preparation of pastoral workers and volunteers serving in the shelters set up to assist those affected by the earthquakes that occurred on 24 June.

The initiative brought together 80 participants from parishes, schools and pastoral organisations within the Archdiocese of Caracas, who responded to the Church’s call to offer a supportive, organised and hopeful presence amidst the emergency the country is currently facing.

During the event, theoretical and practical tools were provided to help deal with the various situations that arise in support centres, emphasising that pastoral care addresses not only material needs but also the emotional and spiritual wounds left by such events.

The training programme consisted of four presentations. Psychologist Ana Répole spoke on the topic “The personal attitudes, feelings and behaviours required of a missionary working in shelters”, encouraging participants to cultivate a calm, empathetic and committed presence in the service of those who are suffering.

Subsequently, Yesenia Quintero, a psychosocial therapist, gave a presentation on “Psychological and Spiritual First Aid”, offering guidance on providing initial support that promotes emotional stability and strengthens hope from a holistic perspective.

The training continued with a presentation by Yván González, who shared a range of activities and games suitable for use in shelters, specifically designed to support children, teenagers and families, as tools to foster a sense of community, reduce stress and create spaces for people to come together.

Finally, Professor José Luis Andrades addressed the legal and organisational aspects of the shelters, offering guidelines for effective pastoral coordination in collaboration with the organisations and institutions responsible for emergency response.

With the aim of broadening the scope of this initiative and enabling more pastoral workers to prepare themselves to serve during the emergency, the CFM has made this training programme available to the public in an asynchronous online format. In this way, anyone interested will be able to access the content and acquire the tools to provide human, psychological and spiritual support to the affected communities. Those interested can find out more and register via the following link: ‘Embracing Hope’ Training. https://cfm.ompvzla.com/2026/02/18/abrazar-la-esperanza/

This initiative forms part of the response that the Pontifical Mission Societies in Venezuela have been developing to support communities affected by the recent earthquakes, promoting a mission that combines spiritual care, psychosocial support and practical solidarity.