Pope Sends Blessing After Church Fire Pope John Paul II has sent his blessing to the pastor and parishioners of St. Casimir's Church in Newark in the wake of the fire that damaged the church last week. The message was conveyed by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick who is in Rome attending the Synod For America. Archbishop McCarrick, on behalf of the Holy father, called the pastor of St. Casimir's, Father Joseph Urban, from Rome to inform him of the Pope's concern and his prayers. The Archbishop expressed gave his own message along with the Pope's. The Archbishop said, "I was saddened to hear of the fire that damaged both St. Casimir's Church and school. I thank God, as I know you do, that no one was injured in this tragedy. " I am confident that the traditions upheld in both the church and the school will continue to serve as a shining light in the Ironbound. I was heartened to hear and read about the faith of the people of St. Casimir's and your determination to restore the church to its full beauty as a house of God. I know you will. "I spoke to the Holy Father about St. Casimir's and all of you who represent the living body of Christ in the community. He received the news of the fire with sadness and hopes that the challenge before you will strengthen your love and fortitude. He sends his prayers and thanks you for all you do to build up the local Church of Newark. "Just as the Synod for America is a sign of renewal of our unity in the love of God, I am sure you will renew and rebuild within yourselves that same unity love as St. Casimir's is renewed and restored. May God bless you. You are all in my prayers." The fire which is still under investigation caused damage to the Church and the adjacent school building. The fire took place Wednesday, December 3, 1997.
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