Church damaged by early morning explosion

Newsday.com-AP regional ^ | 9-10-2004 | unknown

[nyconse]

COLCHESTER, Conn. -- A church in Colchester was leveled by an explosion Friday morning. St. Mary's Ukrainian Church on Route 16, also known as Linwood Ave., was flattened by the explosion just before 7 a.m., according to state police. State police spokesman, Sgt. J. Paul Vance, said the area had been cordoned off and the highway was shut down in both directions. Vance said there was no initial report of injuries and there was no immediate indication of what caused the explosion. The state fire marshal was called to the scene as well utility company crews.

[maestro]

Sorry...When I worked at the Ukranian Prep schools in the late 80's, a Ukranian Catholic priest had an affaire with the math instructer. She became pregnant. He was told that if he wanted to marry her, he would have to go back to the Ukraine..He was already a Priest..He left the Ukranian Catholic Church and went on to become a Russian Orthodox priest. When the Ukranian's were reconciled in the Middle Ages-the agreement reached between Rome and the Ukranian Catholics was...priest could marry. Now Rome doesn't like this, and I have not doubt it is discouraged...but they did agree to it and priests can marry in the Ukraine (probably really frowned on by Rome but possible by doctrine).

Well then,......the Ukraine is a 'free' state and Rome is not.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I saw this on the local news this afternoon. They said the cause was still unknown. Anyone heard any updates?

[Palladin]

Probably a gas explosion. I daresay the churches in New England are turning their heating systems on for the first time this season. That's when the old churches find out the system doesn't work.

Terrorist would have done it on a Sunday morning when the church was fully occupied.

[maestro]

errorist would have done it on a Sunday morning when the church was fully occupied.

........he didn't live.......until Sunday?

[Palladin]

Maybe--but also, maybe the propane tank:

State Police spokesman has stated there is no gas service to this area. There was a 50 gallon propane tank in the building, but State Police not sure if that was the source of the explosion. Would a 50 gallon tank destroy a building like this?

[NYer]

From a local TV station:

A pile of rubble is all that remains of a church in eastern Connecticut that was destroyed by an explosion Friday morning.

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Slideshow: Church Explosion

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An explosion levels a church in Colchester, Conn.

The blast leveled Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Route 16 in Colchester just before 7 a.m. Colchester is about 17 miles west of Norwich.

State police said there were no injuries, and they accounted for all the workers at the church, including its priest, the Rev. Kiril Manolev, and his family. Manolev, his pregnant wife, Susan, and their young son live in a home next to the church and were moved safely.

Television station WVIT reported that many of the witnesses expressed amazement that a statue of the Virgin Mary located in the church courtyard was undamaged by the blast.

Manolev said he was relieved when he saw the statue still standing.

"It's a miracle," he told WVIT.

FeedRoom
	Explosion Destroys Church

The brick church was built in 1955 and serves 55 families. Members were preparing for an annual Ukrainian festival in Stamford this weekend.

State police spokesman Sgt. J. Paul Vance said the area has been cordoned off, and the road remains shut down in both directions.

Vance said there was no immediate indication of what caused the explosion, although the church did have a propane tank inside for cooking.

The state fire marshal and utility company crews are at the scene. Firefighters are combing through the rubble to retrieve relics.

* * * * *

Please remember the priests and members of this congregation in your prayers. This is a very painful and devastating blow. May our Blessed Mother guide them as they begin the process of reconstruction.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[nyconse]

They are allowed to take part in sacraments which say the Episcopal church is not..Also, the Ukrainians recognize the Pope in the Roman Catholic way.

[MarMema]

Oh Catholic after all. So sorry.

[broadsword]

Things that make you go, "Hmmm..."

[dsc]

"Would a 50 gallon tank destroy a building like this?"

I'm not an expert, but I don't think so.

Use of cas cannisters is very common here in Japan, and when they explode you don't get devastation like that.

[Palladin]

After seeing that photo of the utter devastation, I agree with you.

[RaceBannon]

Evening news just announced that the building IMPLODED

That to me sounds like Charges were set!

[Straight Vermonter]

I doubt anyone has turned their heating system on yet.

[RaceBannon]

If the 50 gallon tank caused it, there would not be a 50 gallon tank left!

[Palladin]

Warm up there, is it?

Then when sould I plan my leaf tour?

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[nyconse]

I can not see how a propane tank could do such damage...I don't know. I wonder if we will ever know.

[RightWingAtheist]

Russian and Ukranian are as different as English and Irish or Spanish and Portugese.

[RightWingAtheist]

Can we think of any in A-Q with engineering background

Sure-Osama Bin Laden himself.

[VRWC_minion]

The priest of this parish is married.