St. Raphael Cathedral fire: Result of arson

Related articles: Mar. 17, 2005 edition: • Firefighters work to control blaze • Bishop Morlino's statement on fire • Holy Week schedule changes Breaking news posted Mar. 14/15: • Fire: Breaks out at St. Raphael Cathedral Past articles on Cathedral: Dec. 9, 2004 edition: • New spire crowns St. Raphael Cathedral Oct. 7, 2004 edition: • St. Raphael Cathedral: Marks 150th anniversary of cornerstone Sept. 30, 2004 edition: • New spire: To crown St. Raphael Cathedral ... • Sidebar: First phase of Cathedral Restoration ... • Spire illustration -- a detailed PDF (Portable Document Format) file of Cathedral spire and its parts (233 KB file size) Sept. 23, 2004 edition: • Stone by stone: Mason restores stones on cathedral facade Sept. 16, 2004 edition: • Cathedral: Marks 150th anniversary of laying of cornerstone Diocese of Madison links: • St. Raphael Cathedral Parish info. News releases: • Holy Week, priest ordination location changes made due to Cathedral fire (Mar. 15, 2005) • Bishop Morlino reacts to Cathedral fire (Mar. 14, 2005)

-- Posted: 3/18/05, 5:22 p.m. Central Time

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- The March 14 fire at St. Raphael Cathedral was the result of arson.

That was what the Madison Fire Department's joint Fire/Police Investigation Team, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire Arms, and Explosives and the Division of Criminal Investigation Arson Bureau has determined, according to Fire Chief Debra Amesqua at a press conference March 18.

A 41-year-old Lodi man, William Connell, was charged at a Dane County Circuit Court hearing March 18 with the arson.

"It was me," he allegedly told a police officer March 15. He allegedly said he broke into the church with a crowbar and stole a bottle of wine. When the officer asked him what he used to start the fire, he did not give an answer.

According to District Attorney Brian Blanchard, Connell was in custody since March 15.

His bail was set at $220,000 and Chief Commissioner Todd Meurer ordered a competency evaluation from the Department of Health and Family Services. The court hearing will resume upon return of the evaluation or in two weeks.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino and Msgr. Paul Swain, cathedral rector, said they were somewhat shocked when they heard that the probable cause was arson.

"All of the details of this are in God's hands and He'll lead us through this the way He wants to and He'll bring tremendous good out of it," said Bishop Morlino at a press conference March 18. "I forgive him and I'm praying for him."

Our religion is based on the belief that we are all sinners, said Monsignor Swain. "I will pray for this gentleman" and it is important for us to move from our natural reaction and be what we are really about - to share the love of Christ and be a forgiving people, he said.

"Whatever is put forward must be proved in court," he noted.

Bishop Morlino's statement on St. Raphael Cathedral fire

Following is a statement by Bishop Robert C. Morlino on the fire at St. Raphael Cathedral issued March 15:

Dear Friends,

In light of the tragic destruction of our Cathedral Church, St. Raphael, through fire, I want to express first of all my deepest gratitude to the Lord that there was no loss of human life connected with this tragedy.

I am also particularly grateful for the safety of Monsignor Swain who was able to leave the rectory shortly after the fire broke out, and I continue to be most grateful for his capable, on-site management of this tragedy.

Secondly, let me express my deepest gratitude to all in the greater Madison community who have communicated to me or to my staff how much they care for us in this loss that we have suffered.

This kind of human solidarity brings a peacefulness which is God's unique gift through caring human beings. I am also most grateful to all the civil servants, particularly the firefighters and the police who have assisted us in bringing the fire under control and keeping all people safe.

With deep gratitude I acknowledge the firefighters who assisted us in the safe removal at the appropriate time of the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharistic presence of Christ, so that it could be secured in a neighboring church.

Along with gratitude, my own reaction at this time has fluctuated between shock and serenity. In a way I'm reminded of how I felt shortly after I received word that I would have to undergo open-heart surgery - the world looked different because of the change in my health situation.

As I look at the world without the Cathedral Church of St. Raphael, the world looks different to me, and I am saddened. The father of every human family likes to have a home that he calls his own where he can welcome daughters and sons. Surely he has other places to go and can even remain in the homes of his daughters and sons if he is temporarily or permanently displaced from his own home. But every father appreciates the joy of welcoming sons and daughters to his own home, and it is in that sense that I already profoundly miss St. Raphael Cathedral.

Furthermore the Cathedral is the visible sign of my union in the liturgical celebration with all of the priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and fine faithful people of the Diocese of Madison. There is no question that a very important ingredient in our diocesan life is now missing. The absence of the Cathedral Church is an invitation to make our communion in Christ as his faithful people more strong and more real.

This is no time for any discouragement but a time for courage in the Lord. I was most encouraged by the first three phone calls I received (other than the media or my own staff) with regard to the tragedy. The first was from a young man recently graduated from the UW and representing the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Paul University Catholic Center. He is a friend and he wanted to offer me his prayerful good wishes and also assure me that the young knights at their local council would do anything possible to help me.

In recent days I have celebrated many Confirmations with our high school youth in the diocese. It did not surprise me that the very first phone call came from one of those young people who show such great promise to be the saints of tomorrow. So how could I become discouraged? The second and third calls were from two of my priests once again assuring me of their prayers and offering to do anything they could to assist.
Full statement ...