100 Catholic churches to begin repairs across Puerto Rico for 100 days
Hurricane Maria struck the island in September 2017, beginning a yearslong recovery as later natural disasters caused further damage.
Nearly a decade after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the Catholic Church is still rebuilding, with nearly 100 church facilities set to begin repairs across the island over the next 100 days.
Catholic Extension Society, a Catholic nonprofit supporting underserved dioceses, announced the new phase of the recovery effort Sept. 16. The organization has supported Puerto Rico’s dioceses in rebuilding churches and other Catholic properties damaged by Hurricane Maria.
The nearly 100 projects are expected to cost approximately $40 million, according to Catholic Extension. Walmer Martínez, who leads the Catholic Chief Recovery Office in Puerto Rico, described the effort’s broader significance.
“This represents a sustained investment in the future of our communities,” Martínez said, according to the organization. “This investment will have a multiplier effect because it means work for contractors, opportunities for local suppliers and the recovery of spaces that continue to be essential for the life of our people.”
Among the projects moving forward is a second major phase of reconstruction at the Cathedral of San Juan, which was established in 1521. About $4.5 million will go toward sealing the roof and repairing exterior walls, Catholic Extension reported. The work is expected to take more than one year to complete.
The cathedral will also be the site of Archbishop-elect Eusebio Ramos Morales’ Sept. 29 installation as archbishop of San Juan. Pope Leo XIV appointed him in August to succeed Archbishop Roberto Octavio González Nieves.
“The Cathedral of San Juan is not just a church building; it is part of our history, our identity and the life of our people,” Archbishop-elect Ramos said. “We are excited to witness the progress of a recovery that continues to advance, project by project, community by community, and that extends to the most remote and needy regions of Puerto Rico.”
Beyond the nearly 100 churches now moving toward repairs, the broader recovery involves roughly 500 additional Catholic facilities, including schools, that have yet to begin construction, according to Catholic Extension. The organization estimates the remaining work will cost about $400 million.
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