[sinkspur]

Wonder if Swain had the presence of mind to get the Blessed Sacrament out of the church?

[gridlock]

The Monsignor taking care of things before leaving the building kind of goes without saying, IMHO.

As sad as this is, it will be a pretty easy re-build.

As you can see, the brick walls are thick, and largely un-damaged. The steeple is intact. What was lost was the truss and roof deck. These can almost be viewed as routine replacement items on a Cathedral. Also lost, of course, are a lot of the interior fittings and stained glass. Let's hope the modern replacements are not too horrid! But if the Parish Hall next door is any indication, I would not be too hopeful...

[EODGUY]

Msgr. Swain practiced law for many years before he answered the call from God to become a priest. He is a very calm, brilliant, holy man. I am confident that he did everything possible to preserve and protect the Blessed Sacrament.

I pray that although it will not restore the Cathedral that meant so much to so many of us, the investigation into the cause of the blaze is thorough. When I first heard of the fire, I immediately thought of Bishop Morlino's first act as our new Bishop.....leading silent prayer near an abortion clinic located less than a block from the Cathedral. Bishop Morlino most recently requested that Catholics in our diocese meet outside a newly constructed planned parenthood facility later this week to pray the rosary for everyone involved in the horror of abortion.

I pray the fire was not intentional. But I most fervently pray for the members of the parish who are for the most part elderly and have worshiped at the Cathedral for their entire lives.


God bless,

EODGUY

[Arthur McGowan]

I have never understood the notion that it is urgent--even at risk of life or limb--to rescue the Blessed Sacrament from fires. Is Jesus in danger of being killed?