Desecration at Cali’s La Ermita Chapel leaves images destroyed, prompts closure, arrests, and calls for peace and restoration efforts.
Newsroom (07/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Archbishop of Cali, Monsignor Luis Fernando Rodríguez, has condemned the desecration of the historic La Ermita Chapel, describing the incident as both a violation of faith and an attack on the city’s cultural heritage. The church, one of Cali’s most emblematic religious landmarks, will remain closed until Saturday, May 9, as what the Archdiocese called a “penitential sign for these painful actions.”
The incident occurred on the morning of May 6, when a man entered the chapel, climbed onto the altar, and began throwing religious images to the ground. Videos circulating on social media captured the act, which quickly drew public attention. Authorities later arrested the individual.
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In an official statement, the Archdiocese of Cali characterized the destruction as an act that “goes against the faith of the Catholic faithful and violates the free expression of believers.” It further emphasized that the attack represents not only a religious offense but also “an affront to the cultural heritage of Cali,” given the chapel’s iconic status.
The Archdiocese announced that the church would remain closed until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, urging the faithful to pray for the individual responsible. It also called on authorities and law enforcement to provide “appropriate and prompt attention to these criminal acts.”
“Cali deserves to live in peace, that is what we ask and dream of in the name of the Lord,” the statement read, referencing the image of the Lord of Caña, which was also reportedly damaged during the incident.
Father Javier Alvarado, chaplain of La Ermita, told local newspaper El País that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. However, he suggested the individual may have been experiencing “personal, emotional problems.” He added that “almost all the images of La Ermita” sustained damage.
In response to the destruction, church officials expressed gratitude for prayers and acts of solidarity, which they say will be essential in restoring the damaged religious images and reopening the chapel to the public.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Prensa
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