Baltimore bridge collapse: Officials, faith leaders lean on prayer
Six workers who went missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the water below early Tuesday morning are presumed to be dead, the U.S. Coast Guard announced.
The Coast Guard called off the search operation because of water and weather conditions, and crews will resume a recovery mission early Wednesday.
In the midst of the tragedy, rabbis, pastors and imams have joined as one to mourn and to pray for those who were missing.
Archbishop William Lori, the leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, released a statement reacting to the bridge collapse Tuesday.
“I am saddened, as you are, to learn of the tragic incident overnight that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Baltimore harbor,” he said.
Lori urged the faithful to “pray with me for all involved, especially the victims traveling over the span at the time of impact, the construction crews on site and all of the first responders acting with urgency to rescue survivors.”
“Find all the bodies,” prayed the Rev. Robert Turner of Empowerment Temple AME Church in West Baltimore at the interfaith vigil held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station. “Find the bodies, Lord.”
Gloria Nelson, president of Turner Station Conversation Teams, a community group, said her heart had gone out to those who fell into the water of the Patapsco River, which was colder than 50 degrees early Tuesday morning. She reached out to Elder Rashad Singletary, senior pastor at the Dundalk church, to put together a healing event.
“We just thought prayer was appropriate,” Nelson said. “It’s been an emotional roller coaster day.”
“As a faith community, we wanted to come together to support not only the victims of this disaster, but also the community at large just to make sure at the end of the day they’re covered in prayer,” Singletary said.
Father Kevin Ewing, pastor of the Catholic Community of South Baltimore, told the Catholic Review that many of his parishioners, their family members and others are associated with the Port of Baltimore as ship workers or stevedores. The parish offered a mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel to pray for all those affected by the tragedy.
“We’ve heard from family members in that regard who just want to come together to pray,” he said. “It’s a chance for us to try and see how we can help them navigate however their lives or their livelihood is impacted.”
President Joe Biden also weighed in on the bridge collapse in remarks at the White House Tuesday.
He assured, “Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, issued a statement Tuesday after declaring a state of emergency.
Moore expressed gratitude for first responders, stating, “We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety.”
Lora Hargrove, a parishioner of St. Bernardine in West Baltimore and the interfaith outreach director for Gov. Moore, represented the governor at a cathedral liturgy.
Following the Mass, she told the Catholic Review it was important for her to be present “to represent all faiths together so that we can watch each other, watch over each other — pray with each other.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described the bridge collapse as an “unthinkable tragedy.” “We have to first and foremost, pray for all of those who are impacted, those families,” he proclaimed.
Scott also urged people to “pray for our first responders and thank them, all of them working together: city, state, local to make sure that we are working through this tragedy.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski offered a similar sentiment as he spoke at the news conference.
“I would just echo the mayor in lifting up prayers for those who are impacted but also ask that our residents … pray for our first responders.”
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