West Virginia priest kept vigil with miners' families in tragedy

Published: 2006-01-05

SAGO, W.Va. (CNS) -- When Father Andy Kranyc heard the news of the Jan. 2 explosion at the Sago Coal Mine in Upshur County which trapped 13 coal miners 260 feet underground, he immediately left to be there for the families. "When I heard about it, I just went out there to see if I could help," Father Kranyc said. As the son and grandson of Pennsylvania coal miners, Father Kranyc knew well the dangers of the coal mining industry and wanted to be present for the families as they waited to hear the fate of their loved ones. Upon his arrival he learned that three of the miners were from his community of Philippi, roughly 25 miles from Sago, where he is pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish. Father Kranyc stayed with the families through the duration of the ordeal, leaving only for a few hours. He was with them late in the evening on Jan. 3 in the Sago Baptist Church when they were told that 12 of the 13 miners were alive. Father Kranyc said it was difficult to watch the jubilation of the families dissolve into overwhelming grief, despair and disbelief when they learned that all but one of the miners were found dead.

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