Firefighters are investigating the cause of an early morning blaze at a Bendigo church, the day after Sandhurst Diocese’s new bishop was installed. Source: Herald Sun.
Emergency services arrived at St Kilian’s Catholic Church just before 6am on Friday to find the back of the building “well alight”, a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said.
“Firefighters donned breathing apparatus and worked inside the building to force back the fire,” he said.
“Firefighters were successful in holding the fire back to the rear of the church.”
The blaze took more than an hour to get under control, with cladding and inside walls, as well as “items of religious significance”, needing to be removed.
No one was injured as the building was unoccupied at the time, a police spokeswoman said.
A post on the St Killian’s Parish Facebook page confirmed that the main body of the church remained intact.
“The tabernacle, altar, pipe organ and the sacred furnishings within the church have not been damaged. The fire was contained to the sacristy area, with smoke damage to parts of the rear wall and sacristy,” the post said.
“We are incredibly grateful to the members of the CFA [Country Fire Authority], Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police and all emergency service personnel whose swift and professional response prevented what could have been a far more devastating outcome.
“Their courage, skill and dedication have helped preserve a church that has been a place of prayer, worship and hope for generations.”
New Sandhurst Bishop René Ramirez RCJ, who was installed as the diocese’s bishop on Thursday, offered the following words on the Facebook post:
“Thanks to God, no one has been injured and the church still stands … While this is a disappointing and distressing situation, we know that with God’s help, we will overcome it,” Bishop Ramirez said.
“As Christians, we know that our hope rests not simply in buildings, but in Christ, who remains with His people through every trial. As St Paul reminds us:
‘We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.’ (Romans 5:3–5)
“Our church building has served this community faithfully for generations. While it has been wounded, it still stands, and with God’s grace – and the support of our parish family – it will stand strong again.”
FULL STORY
Firefighters quell blaze at St Kilian’s Church on McCrae St, Bendigo (By Eddie Russell, Herald Sun)
