West Virginia bishop honors miners lost in Monongah disaster of 1907

Published: 2007-12-27

MONONGAH, W.Va. (CNS) -- One hundred years to the day after the Dec. 6, 1907, Monongah mine disaster -- the worst coal-mine disaster in U.S. history -- the people of Monongah came together to remember the 361 miners and others who lost their lives in the tragedy. At a ceremony in Monongah, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston blessed a large memorial bell donated to the town by the Italian government, as many of the miners who perished in the disaster were Italian immigrants. The bell stands adjacent to "Monongah Heroine," a memorial statue of a woman and children, which honors the families of the fallen miners. Also present for the tribute were representatives of the Italian government, including Giovanni Castelaneta, the ambassador to the U.S., and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. At the ceremony, children from the community read the names of the miners who died in 1907. Afterward, Bishop Bransfield celebrated Mass at Holy Spirit Parish in Monongah, which was packed with people marking the anniversary. In his homily, Bishop Bransfield spoke of the impact the disaster had on the town, noting that many of the men who died left behind wives and children. "We cannot even imagine the sorrow and devastation that was present," he said.

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