Police arrest Pennsylvania man for detonating explosive inside Catholic chapel

CNA Staff, May 9, 2025 / 12:56 pm

Police in a small Pennsylvania town have arrested a man they claim detonated an explosive on the altar of a small Catholic chapel this week. 

Father Kevin Gallagher, the pastor at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Mahanoy City, told CNA on Friday that on Tuesday, May 6, a man came into the parish chapel at around 9 p.m., “placed an explosive device on the altar, lit it, and then ran out.” 

The device subsequently exploded, damaging a monstrance, the altar, the ceiling, and some stained-glass windows.

Investigators thought the explosive might have been a quarter-stick of dynamite, Gallagher said.

Police arrested 32-year-old Kyle Kuczynski shortly after the incident. He was charged with multiple crimes including arson.

The priest said he wasn’t aware of what might have motivated Kuczynski to allegedly detonate the device, though he said the suspect had visited the chapel prior to the explosion and had disturbed the nuns who were there at the time. 

“The cops knew him. They said he’s a troublemaker,” Gallagher said. He speculated that mental issues could have played a role in the suspect’s behavior. 

“Luckily nothing caught fire” after the explosion, the priest said, adding that the parish would undertake repairs of the chapel soon. 

In a statement after the explosion, Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert said the attack was “an act of darkest evil.”

“I thank God that no one was injured in the incident and that the suspect has been taken into custody by law enforcement,” the bishop said. 

“At the same time, I am heartbroken that such a heinous, hateful, and evil act occurred at St. Teresa of Calcutta. This act of religious hate is an affront to the long and devout history of faith among the people of Mahanoy City.”

“While offering forgiveness, I pray the person who perpetrated this crime will receive the help needed and the justice demanded for their actions,” the prelate added.