Madison Diocese Still Considering St. Raphael's Future
150-Year-Old Church Was Consumed By Fire
Updated: 6:48 pm CDT August 17,2006
MADISON, Wis. -- The local Roman Catholic diocese is still deciding what to do with the remains of fire-damaged St. Raphael's Cathedral in downtown Madison.The historic cathedral was gutted by fire back in March 2005. Just walls and a steeple were left standing from the blaze.Bishop Robert Morlino, who leads the diocese, is allegedly leaning toward rebuilding the 150-year-old church, WISC-TV reported.Diocese officials said that they will hold a series of listening sessions in September and October to determine what parishioners want.Last month, William "Billy" Connell, a homeless man, accused of breaking into St. Raphael's, pleaded no contest to arson charges that he set the fire, WISC-TV reported.
Previous Stories:
- July 6, 2006: Man Pleads No Contest In St. Raphael Fire
- March 14, 2006: Parishioners Remember During St. Raphael's Fire Anniversary
- March 14, 2006: Prayer Service To Mark Anniversary Of St. Raphael's Fire
- December 19, 2005: St. Raphael's Alleged Arsonist Not Competent To Stand Trial
- August 29, 2005: St. Raphael Arson Suspect Pleads Insanity
- August 29, 2005: Judge: Arson Suspect Not Competent To Stand Trial
- May 11, 2005: Decision On St. Raphael's Future Delayed
- April 17, 2005: St. Raphael's Celebrates Palm Sunday At St. Patrick's
- April 8, 2005: St. Raphael's Arson Suspect Competent To Stand Trial
- March 21, 2005: St. Raphael Fire: Arson Suspect In Custody
- March 18, 2005: Investigators To Announce Cause Of St. Raphael Fire
- March 16, 2005: Arson Probe Under Way At St. Raphael
- March 15, 2005: Wedding Goes Up In Smoke For Fitchburg Couple
- March 15, 2005: Fire Destroys Downtown Madison Cathedral
- March 15, 2005: Madison Catholics Mourn Loss Of Landmark Church
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