By Diego López Colín
ACI Prensa Staff, Jan 3, 2025 / 10:55 am
Part of the roof of San Luis Obispo (St. Louis Bishop) Church in the town of Calkiní located north of the Campeche, the capital of the Mexican state of the same name, collapsed a few hours before Mass was to be offered for the feast of the Holy Family. No injuries were reported.
Father Luis Ángel Mendoza Pérez, spokesman for the Diocese of Campeche, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that around 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 29, the vault of the church collapsed “from the entrance of the main door extending approximately 14 meters [45 feet] in length.”
The cave-in occurred almost two hours before the Eucharistic celebration, which was scheduled for 5 p.m.
Mendoza noted that the area where the roof fell, as well as a quarter of the church, “had been cordoned off to the faithful with barricade tape for more than a month” as a measure to protect the faithful from the deterioration of the structure.
The priest also pointed out that the church’s pastor, Father Fernando Manzo, had requested the “intervention of the competent authorities,” including the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH by its Spanish acronym).
Like all Catholic churches built in Mexico before 1992 — the year in which relations between the state and the Catholic Church were reestablished in the Mexican Constitution — the church is federal property, so repairing it is the responsibility of the civil authorities. Only churches built after 1992 can legally belong to the Catholic Church.
According to posts on the parish’s social media, on Aug. 1, 2023, a part of the church’s ceiling came loose.
Historic San Luis Obispo Church in Calkiní Collapses: Urgent Repairs Needed
Recently, the historic San Luis Obispo church in Calkiní faced a devastating collapse, prompting urgent repairs. The intervention of INAH Campeche was requested to address the situation, but as one post lamented, “we have had no response; we can’t wait for it to deteriorate further.”
What Led to the Collapse?
Construction of the San Luis Obispo church began in 1548 and was completed in 1776, known for its baroque architecture and centuries-old wooden altarpiece. The Diocese of Campeche spokesperson revealed that a structural fault dating back to the church’s completion in 1776 was discovered, causing a crack due to uneven thickness in the vault. Despite efforts to address water leakage issues, a definitive solution was elusive.
Shortly before the collapse, a budget was approved for roof repairs, but inclement weather expedited the deterioration. Anuar Dager Granja of the Civil Protection Secretariat of Campeche inspected the site and deemed the side chapels and cloister safe for religious services.
Catholics Express Disappointment
The Catholic community in Calkiní expressed deep dismay over the church’s collapse, as it was a vital worship space for their religious practices. The church holds significant value for the Indigenous Mayan community, representing their Christian identity.
Despite the setback, efforts are underway to restore the historic San Luis Obispo church and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations.
