On 19 February 1996, an arsonist lit a fire that ripped through St Patrick’s Cathedral, causing $8 million in damage and leaving a community of more than 5,000 parishioners in shock.
It took 40 firefighters from 6 brigades a whole day and evening to pour 13,500 litres of water onto the flames every minute. As then-Dean of the Cathedral, Monsignor John Boyle stated: “It was like fighting the devil with water pistols.”
The devastation was felt nationwide with then-Prime Minister Paul Keating visiting the site several times, along with NSW Premier Bob Carr, Governor General Sir William Deane, the heads of the Anglican and other churches and even the Rebel bikie gang coming to assist in the aftermath.
The blaze destroyed the Cathedral’s roof, melted its stained-glass windows, and forced the evacuation of staff and students from nearby Our Lady of Mercy College. For Monsignor Boyle, the fire remains one of the most painful moments in his 55-year ministry.
“The stained-glass windows did not crack or shatter – they melted. A brown substance oozed down the window sills. It was a nightmare,” Monsignor Boyle recalled in a new video released to mark the 30-year anniversary of the fire.
In the aftermath, the community rallied. Nearly 1,000 people attended a memorial service the following day, and hundreds of volunteers assisted in the Cathedral’s rebuild. The historical significance of the precinct cannot be understated – Parramatta is known as “the cradle of Catholicism” in Australia with its roots tracing back to the First Fleet. The parish is known for having the oldest Catholic parish school in Australia, the first Mass was proclaimed in 1803, it is home to the first convent of the Sisters of Charity, and where the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta started. The Cathedral is the ‘spiritual heart’ of Parramatta.
Today the precinct hosts hundreds of events each year and welcomes thousands of Catholics from across Australia and the world. The Cathedral is a beacon of hope for the community, working with and serving the poor and the marginalised through its many outreach programs.
The Cathedral was rebuilt by Romaldo Giurgola, architect of Canberra’s Parliament House, featuring a light-filled, open design with a central altar surrounded by the congregation. The design reflects Vatican II’s vision of an outward looking Church connected to its community and has become a hub for Parramatta’s growing multicultural parish.
To mark the 30th anniversary, Monsignor Boyle has released a new reflective video alongside his memoir, Tested by Fire. In the uplifting but emotional interview he recalls being reduced to tears when one young boy solemnly asked him, “Will the bell ever ring again?”
- Watch the video: tinyurl.com/263crdw8
- Read more in Catholic Outlook: catholicoutlook.org/new-video-recalls-cathedral-fire-30-years-on/
A special Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Vincent and concelebrated by Monsignor Boyle and the clergy on Thursday 19 February at St Patrick’s Cathedral Chapel at 7:30pm. All are welcome.
Tested by Fire is available from St Paul’s Publications: tinyurl.com/TestedByFireMemoir.
