Bishop offers prayers for two miners killed in West Virginia

Published: 2006-04-11

WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) -- After learning that two miners died in separate coal mine accidents in West Virginia April 7, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston offered prayers for them and their families. A total of 18 miners have been killed in the state's coal mines since January. "On behalf of the Catholic people of West Virginia, I wish to extend our prayers and sympathy to the families of the two coal miners who died in Boone and Mingo counties," Bishop Bransfield said. "Our people are again suffering. As we Christians move into Holy Week and the celebration of Easter, we shall continue to pray for these two miners and all coal miners and their families," he said. An Associated Press story April 10 said the miners were identified as Jackie Lee Toler, 53, of Long Branch, and Robert Runyon, 48, of Belfry, Ky.

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