Our Lady of Seven Sorrows church in Victoria’s central north has been destroyed by the raging bushfires – with only the crucifix and bell tower remaining intact, says Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.
The archbishop paid tribute to the remains of the small church, saying it was a place which had been “sustained by generations of prayer.”
“In the stark image that remains, the crucifix and the bell tower stand amid the ashes – the final visible signs of a community shaped by faith,” he posted on social media.
“They call us anew to trust in Christ, who remains present even when all else is stripped away, and to our hope that rises from the Cross.”
Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, built in 1955 and part of the Yea-Alexandra parish, was destroyed on 14 January due to bushfires in the area, with some yet to be contained.
Yea-Alexander parish priest Fr Jose Matthew told Melbourne Catholic there was concern over whether the church and its surroundings were still standing after the fire as the area was evacuated due to risk.
Fr Matthew said a parishioner who lived in Caveat said when she returned home, everything in the area was gone, but luckily the woman had not lost her home.
“She said across the road, the vineyards, farms and houses had burnt down, including the church. But it was confirmed last night when one of our parishioners had a friend up there and they sent us a picture,” Fr Matthew told Melbourne Catholic.
