AMERICA/MEXICO - Church in Mexico gathers in prayer for the children who died in the day care fire and for those that remain in serious condition in the hospitals “that they may soon recover and return home with their parents”

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – The Mexican Bishops' Conference issued a statement signed by their Secretary General Bishop Leopoldo Gonzalez, expressing their condolences to the families whose children died in the tragic accident at the ABC Day Care on Friday, June 5, in Hermosillo, Sonora.
“We unite ourselves to the pain which afflicts the Archdiocese of Hermosillo, along with its Pastor, Archbishop Jose Ulises Macia Salcedo, and the suffering of the parents, family, friends, and citizens. We pray to the God, the Father of Mercy, that He may give them strength, peace, and consolation to the families of these little ones, as they must now be in the Lord's presence,” the statement said. The Bishops ask that the entire Church in Mexico unite in prayer “for the eternal rest of the dead, for the children who remain in serious in the hospitals that they may soon recover and return home with their parents.”
They also make an appeal to the government, asking that a thorough investigation be made as soon as possible, “to clarify the cause of the unfortunate event and assign responsibilities.” The Holy Father Benedict XVI also sent a telegram signed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, in which he says he was “deeply grieved at learning of the unfortunate news of the fire that caused so many deaths and wounded so many, and will offer Masses for the eternal rest of the dead.” The Pope also offered his prayers to God for the prompt recovery of the wounded children and for their families.
It now seems that 44 children have died, the majority from asphyxiation, following a fire that started in the private day care, managed by the Mexican Social Security Institute, whose General Director, Daniel Karam, said that 33 people (adults and children) are still hospitalized.
According to recent reports from Abel Murrieta, Prosecutor of the State of Sonora, the fire was caused by an overheating or a short-circuiting of an adjoining cooling unit. The flames spread rapidly through the daycare, which held 141 children between three months and 4 years of age. In addition to the children who died, 23 are hospitalized in Hermosillo, 15 of whom are in grave conditions. Another 10 were transferred to centers in Guadalajara, Ciudad Obregon, and Sacramento (California), which specialize in child burn victims.
The government of the State of Sonora, whose capital is Hermosillo, has declared three days of mourning beginning this Monday, and has placed the flag at half-staff. Following a visit to the site of the event, and visibly moved by the sight, Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa ordered a thorough investigation, in order to assign responsibilities and so that such events may not occur again in other day cares provided by social security, for the working families of Mexico.
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City and Primate of Mexico, invoking the image of unity and communion of the Trinity, asked the faithful of the Archdiocese to unite in prayer during the Mass on Sunday in the Cathedral. The Cardinal exhorted the faithful to pray “for the eternal rest of the innocent victims” and for their families, that they may “find consolation in Christ.” “We pray for them and we pray for those who are suffering from this event. We also pray that the authorities may take prevention measures in centers where there are fragile and defenseless children,” he added. The Cardinal concluded by showing his hope for a serious investigation and that “the truth about this unfortunate accident may be made known. We ask that the authorities take prevention measures, especially in these centers.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/6/2009)