Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the apostolic administrator of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, issued the following statement Jan. 30 following the deadly mid-air crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport of an American Airlines airplane and a U.S. military helicopter:
“Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Washington today join men and women of good will here and around the world in praying for those who perished in last night’s heartbreaking accident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and for their grieving families and loved ones. We praise God for the generous assistance of our courageous first responders. May this disaster serve as an impetus to strengthen our unity and collaboration.”
According to local reports, 60 passengers and four crew aboard American Eagle Flight No. 5342 and three U.S. Army personnel aboard a Black Hawk helicopter are presumed dead after the collision over the Potomac River just before 9 p.m. on Jan. 29.
The American Airlines flight, originating from Wichita, Kansas was preparing to land when the collision occurred.
