From The Ashes, Inspiration For A New Start
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday February 21, 1996
Parramatta was in mourning yesterday for its cathedral. As Father Eugene Szondi, an assistant priest carried out fire-damaged chalices and a pyx from the ashes of St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, he said: "It's been pretty shattering for most people, many of who have lived here all their lives. There's been quite a few tears shed."
The dean of the cathedral, the Very Rev John Boyle estimated it could take three years to fully rebuild the cathedral, devastated by fire on Monday.
"It's a challenge to the whole community to build a new spiritual home," he said. "I think in the long term it would bring people together. At the moment there's just a numbness."
The recently refurbished spire - the diocese still owes $300,000 for it - was demolished yesterday as a safety precaution. A Church spokeswoman said fire officials warned that the eastern and western walls might collapse.
The Premier, Mr Carr, and his wife, Helena, a former pupil of Our Lady of Mercy College, opposite the cathedral, visited the site accompanied by the Labor MP for Parramatta, Ms Gabrielle Harrison. Also viewing the damage was the Federal Minister for Housing and Regional Development, Mr Howe.
Describing the fire as a tragedy for the nation's heritage, Mr Carr said the State Government would donate $50,000 to help replace the cathedral's uninsured contents.
He hoped the loss of St Patrick's would inspire people to "protect as much of our heritage as we can", and said he shared the hope of the National Trust that as much as possible of the building's original fabric could be retained.
Mr Howe said the Commonwealth would be "taking a very keen interest" in the cathedral's restoration. Funds were available to help save and protect heritage buildings, although exactly how much the Federal Government could contribute required further discussion.
Father Boyle said he had a telephone call from the Prime Minister, Mr Keating, expressing his sympathies.
The dean will officiate at a service to be held at 12.30pm today in the cathedral's precinct.
The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor Paul Garrard, will put a motion to next Monday's council meeting to establish an appeal with a $5,000 "kick-off" from the council.
But a spokeswoman, while thanking people for their "immediate and spontaneous" support, said the Church would not be opening an appeal.
"The people of this community have already given $500,000 for the refurbishment of the spire, and it is hoped that most of the cost of rebuilding will be covered by insurance of $8.2 million," she said.
A meeting will be held tomorrow between the Bishop of Parramatta, the Most Rev Bede Heather, the structural engineers, insurers and the parish council.
Meanwhile, Bishop Heather called on Catholics to "pray for anyone who would be so disturbed to do something like this".
PAGE 2: Man appears in court; PAGE 15: Caroline Jones on the tragedy.
© 1996 Sydney Morning Herald