” “"We pray for the dead miners and for those who hopefully will be found alive": these are the words of a telegram of condolence sent by the Polish Bishops Conference, for the methane explosion at 1030 metres deep that on Tuesday 21st November caused eight miners to die in the fossil coal mine of "Halemba" at Ruda Slaska in the Polish region of Upper Silesia. Eight victims’ bodies have been found, while 15 people are still missing. Searches and rescue procedures are hindered by the high methane concentration that exceeds the limits in which the rescuers can work. In the telegram signed by the president, the archbishop of Przemysl, mgr. Józef Michalik, the Polish Bishops, gathered for their spiritual exercises over these days in the Marian Sanctuary of Jasna Gora, “entrust the victims of the disaster to God’s mercy and pray that the sacrifice offered as they were working for others may be welcomed by Christ". In addition, the Bishops express "their closeness to and sympathy with the families of the dead miners and the church communities which they come from”. ” “
