Los Angeles: Church destroyed, schools damaged by wildfires

Photo by Caleb Cook on Unsplash

Source: LA Catholics, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

A Catholic Church has been totally destroyed in the wildfires ripping through Los Angeles today. More than 65 Catholic schools have been closed.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades appears to have been completely gutted. There are also reports that Corpus Christi's parish school has been damaged.

Built in the 1950s between Santa Monica and Malibu, Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighbourhood that has long been home to several Hollywood celebrities.

As the fires continue to spread through the drought-stricken city, fanned by the Santa Ana winds, many homes have been destroyed and thousand of people have been evacuated. LA's diocesan news service: 'LA Catholics' report that another parish and a school, St Elizabeth of Hungary in Altadena have been evacuated and are under close watch by fire officials.

Los Angeles Archbishop José H Gomez posted on social media: "Please keep praying for all those suffering in the wildfires sweeping through Southern California... My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Let's pray for them and let's pray for our firefighters and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring an end to these fires."

See resources and latest updates from around the Archdiocese of Los Angeles: https://lacatholics.org/california-fires/

Corpus Christi church website: https://corpuschristichurch.com/mobile/