11 September 2001, the Ground Zero morgue. Bishop Bonnici: “When nothing can be fixed, what remains is presence”

In brief

Bishop John S. Bonnici of Rochester reflected on his experiences as a priest in the Archdiocese of New York during the September 11, 2001, attacks. He recalled walking home through crowds fleeing Lower Manhattan on the morning of the attacks and finding his room covered in dust.

The following day, Bonnici went to the morgue at Ground Zero. He noted that when a priest cannot fix a situation, the primary thing they can offer is their presence.