Albany, N.Y., Nov 4, 2019 / 17:02 pm
The Catholic Diocese of Albany is grieving the death of a local priest who was killed when his car was swept up in a flash flood on Halloween night.
"We are so saddened to learn of Father Thomas Connery's tragic death, but we know that he died as he lived - serving the people of God without fear or concern for himself," said Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany in a recent statement.
"Connery was a devoted priest who served faithfully for 56 years and just weeks ago had accepted a new assignment as sacramental minister for Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church in Herkimer as well as St. John the Baptist in Newport."
The 82-year-old priest had been driving through Norway in central New York at around 10 p.m. on Thursday when he was caught up in a flash flood amid a large regional storm. He has been on his way to celebrate Mass in Herkimer and Newport.