Archbishop prays for comfort, peace, healing after deadly crash of UPS cargo plane

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (OSV News) -- Saying he was deeply saddened, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville prayed for comfort, peace and healing after the deadly crash of a UPS cargo plane at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Nov. 4.

UPS flight 2976 to Honolulu caught fire and crashed just beyond the runway on departure at about 5:14 p.m. EST on Nov. 4.

Three crew members were on board the MD-11 aircraft. They are among 12 people who were confirmed dead late Nov. 5, and the death toll could continue to climb, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Nov. 6. Also, officials confirmed that a child was among the nine killed on the ground, as Gov. Andy Beshear had indicated was likely and "makes it all the harder."

In a statement Nov. 5, Archbishop Fabre said, "I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families who are mourning the death of their loved ones. May God comfort and strengthen them during this difficult time," Archbishop Fabre said in a statement Nov. 5. "I invite you to join me in praying for the repose of the souls of those killed, the healing of those injured, and their families.

"Let us also pray for the first responders whose courageous actions we are grateful for in the face of tragedy," he said.

During a morning press conference Nov. 5, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that more than 200 first responders and 50 fire trucks were at the crash site Nov. 4 -- facing dangerous conditions as the fire spread -- to locate survivors.

UPS Worldport, the hub of the company's global delivery service, employs more than 20,000 people in its facilities at the Muhammad Ali airport. It is one of Louisville's largest employers. Two nearby businesses were also directly affected by the crash.

Search and rescue efforts were continuing throughout the day Nov. 5. Chief Mark Little of the Okolona Fire Protection District said during a midday press conference that recovery efforts would likely continue for a week and said small fires and hot spots were still burning in a vast debris zone.

A Victim Family Reunification Center has been set up at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy.

The city had asked most residents of the Louisville metro area to shelter in place throughout the evening Nov. 4, close windows and turn off ventilation systems. At midday Nov. 5, the shelter-in-place order remained for those within a quarter-mile of the crash site.

While the aircraft did not include hazardous materials in its cargo, according to state officials, the plane was equipped with enough fuel for the cross-country flight to Hawaii, about 38,000 pounds, according to the governor. In the hours after the crash, a heavy plume of smoke stretched across the Louisville area, depositing ash in some places.

Parishes, pastors and religious communities around the area have joined their voices with the archbishop's, offering prayers and asking the community to pray for the people affected. St. Margaret Mary Church scheduled adoration for 6:30 p.m. this evening, Nov. 5.

Offering an invitation, the parish posted on social media, "Come join us in prayer tonight for our city and all those impacted by this recent tragedy. Find rest at the feet of Jesus and in His most Sacred Heart. Let Him give you comfort and peace."

In a Nov. 4 statement, Gov. Beshear added his voice to calls for prayer, saying. "Let's please pray for all those affected, and for the dedicated first responders who will be working around the clock to help keep our community safe. Remember: We are in this together, Kentucky."

The National Transportation Safety Board is on site and leading the investigation.