Episcopal Press and News
UTAH: Bishop calls diocese to prayer for miners, rescue workers, families
Episcopal News Service. August 17, 2007 [081707-01]
Episcopal Diocese of Utah Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish said August 17 that Episcopalians across the state "feel deeply connected with those families mourning this latest great loss" of three people trying to rescue miners at the Crandall Canyon coal mine.
A seismic jolt on the evening of August 16 killed two rescue workers and an inspector from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration at the mine near Huntington, Utah. Six others were injured when the movement of the earth caused tunnel walls to collapse, blasting workers with coal and rubble, according to a report in the New York Times. The rescuers were trying to reach six miners trapped by an earlier cave-in 11 days ago.
Underground rescue operations were halted after the collapse and officials were deciding what work might resume and when.
"The foundations of the Episcopal Church in Utah were laid in mining and railroad communities, such as Park City, Garfield, Murray, Kenilworth, Eureka, Helper, Price, East Carbon and Tooele," Irish said in her statement, noting that missionary bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle founded St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City to care for the miners, who were mostly immigrants.
"Episcopalians therefore feel especially close to the mining communities of our state," the bishop said. "We have been and continue to be blessed by their labors."
Irish said that the "courageous men who attempted the rescue of the six trapped miners did so on behalf of all who have followed this painful story over the past two weeks, and we honor them."
The Utah diocesan staff and congregations continue to pray for healing and hope for those who survive and those who comfort them, the bishop said in her statement.
"We pray as well for those making decisions in the coming days and for all who work to promote greater safety measures in mines and all other work places," she said.
Irish offered this prayer for all Utah congregations to use during worship in the coming days:
O God our times are in your hands. Look mercifully on those who mourn the loss of their loved ones in Crandall Canyon, those miners who remain trapped there, and those who care for the injured. Let your Holy Spirit abide within and among them, reminding us all of our call to care for all God's people. We give thanks for all who risk their own comfort and safety for the sake of others and all whose work puts them in harm's way. Keep us mindful of our responsibilities to press for increased safety measures in their work places. We pray in the name of the one whose very name is Mercy. Amen.