The House of the Legionaries of Christ, a Catholic religious congregation of priests, in the metropolitan area of Atlanta (United States) was destroyed by a fire, after being reached by a ray in the early hours of the morning of Sunday, February 16, .
No one was injured in the fire, which began around 4:45 am, but the house was completely wrapped in flames and burned to the foundations. The property, which housed four priests and three missionaries, is located in Woodsong Trail in Cumming, Georgia, approximately 65 kilometers northeast from Atlanta.
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“The fire spread very quickly because the wind blew,” said Ewtn’s news in English – Father Scott Reilly, LC, who lives in a separate structure right next to the property and witnessed the fire.
Fr. Reilly, who woke up for the sound of lightning falling on the building, told CNA that “he thought he had fallen on a tree”, but “in two minutes, he was smelling smoke.” He said he looked out and “saw glows in the windows … (and) indeed our house was on fire.”
“I put my slippers and ran down the patio (to alert the other priests),” said Fr. Reilly.
The place where Fr. Reilly lives, who is right next to the main house, did not suffer damage to the fire. Another site, a remodeled garage that houses four more priests in the community, also did not suffer damage. In total, nine priests and three missionaries of the Kingdom of Christchurch Mission Corps.
In the morning of the fire, the missionaries and most of the priests of the community were working in other places and not at home. Fr. Reilly and the other three priests who were present could be safe and call the firefighters shortly after the fire began. Although firefighters arrived quickly, the priest explained to CNA, “they couldn’t do much” to control the fire.
In A statementFr. Reilly said the residents of the priests helped them during the fire.
“Our neighbors are incredible,” said the legionary of Christ. “They arrived in our help immediately. We went to the home of the neighbors who were right in front of us, who gave us coffee and everything we needed. They prepared breakfast and were very friendly, ”he added.
Fr. Reilly told CNA that the priests could also ensure the Blessed Sacrament to ensure that he was not damaged by the fire.
The priests who lost their home in the fire received accommodation offers from local families that have empty houses in the area and diocesan priests. The legionaries of Christ have also received more than $ 65,000 in donations Through Gofundme During the last two days to cover the expenses that insurance does not cover.
“There are no people offering things,” said Fr. Reilly.
In addition, he said that the support of the priests and the community “has been very beautiful”, adding that the response to fire shows “how Christ is present in charity that people show each other.”
Although the house was assured, the Gofundme campaign indicates that not all costs will be covered by insurance. It indicates that the planned costs include the demolition of the rest of the building, subsequent cleaning tasks, temporary accommodation, reconstruction costs and replacement of household items and personal belongings.
The Gofundme fund collection campaign also notes that Christ’s legionaries “are deeply grateful for the tremendous signs of concern, support and prayers that have quickly begun to receive from people from all over the Atlanta area while fighting with this situation.”
“Please consider helping … with the many initial expenses and long term that will not be covered by their insurance policy while recovering from this situation and make plans to rebuild,” adds the collection of Gofundme funds.
The legionaries of Christ, who are part of the Regnum Christi Federation, work to spread faith through education, evangelization, work with young people and the provision of spiritual care and training to the members of the regnum Christi, according to El thirst Web Kingdom Norteamérica.
Fr. Reilly said that Christ’s legionaries help “laity to develop their skills and be missionary disciples” of the Church and try to “involve Catholics in the change of culture.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter of the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in various media, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative and The Federalist.