Santiago, Chile, Aug 10, 2010 / 20:03 pm
Bishop Gaspar Quintana of Copiapo, Chile presided over a Mass in which he prayed for the timely rescue of the 33 workers trapped in a copper mine. The bishop also offered his spiritual support to the families clinging to the hope of finding their loved ones alive.
The miners have been trapped since August 5, when the San Esteban mine collapsed.
In his homily, Bishop Quintana expressed his wish that the miners be rescued soon and in good health. He also praised the strength exhibited by the families who are waiting outside the collapsed mine for news.
The bishop lamented the accident and appealed to the authorities, businessmen and workers, asking them to be mindful of the safety conditions in which they carry out their tasks, so that events like these may be avoided.