Clergy help to pull the pieces of a neighborhood back together after East Harlem Explosion
Melissa Kimiadi
Hugging a weeping couple in his arms, a pastor canopied his shoulders over their slightly bowed heads. A few feet away, a man's scrunched up face barely hid his puffy and red eyes. People held hands and some locked arms. Another pastor lightly placed his palm on a person's back to comfort the grief that spilled out in low-toned wailings.
The crowd of about 20 people was composed of clergy, politicians, and loved ones of victims of the two collapsed buildings on 116th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. Fire officials confirmed at least eight dead and dozens injured from the gas ignited explosion that occurred Wednesday morning. Some bodies were so badly burned that they could not be positively identified.
About twenty-four hours after the catastrophe, clergy gathered a prayer vigil across the street from the fallen buildings. They encouraged the victims’ loved ones by announcing a plan to establish a fund drawing from monies taken up during church collections this next Sunday. The planners emphasized that their priority was helping the victims.
"One hundred percent of the donations will go to you all," said Carrie Mobley, Director of Faith-Based Initiatives at the New York State Senate. "It is not for administrative purposes and not for this and not for that, but towards you all." A central depository for the funds has not yet been set up, but they are working with the City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's office to do so. They promised to pass on additional information as soon as possible.
http://www.nycreligion.info/?p=11523