ARCHBISHOP Adrian Doyle of Hobart said the prayers of millions of Australians had been answered after two miners trapped for two weeks in a gold mine at Beaconsfield, in northern Tasmania, were rescued.
Their prayers were answered at 6am on May 9 as Todd Russell, 34, and Brant Webb, 37, walked out of the mine shaft unaided to emotional scenes of jubilation.
They had been trapped in the mine since an underground rockfall on Anzac Day.
But after 13 days and 14 nights below ground, one of the first things they did was attend the funeral of fellow miner, 44-year-old Larry Knight, who died in the rockfall.
The plight of the pair had united the small Tasmanian town of Beaconsfield and members of the community had asked all Catholics and other denominations to pray for their safe return.
Archbishop Doyle said the joy of the two men would be mixed with sadness at the death of Larry Knight.
He paid tribute to the Beaconsfield community and all who banded together to support the rescue effort.
He also thanked the Catholic community in Beaconsfield and parish priest Franciscan Father Brian Lester and pastoral associate Missionary Sister of Service Frances McShane.
Fr Lester said a number of Masses had been celebrated in Beaconsfield and many prayers had been offered for the two miners’ safe return.
He said the talk of “miracles” showed that the faith of the people was incredibly strong.
Taasmanian Premier Paul Lennon said the safe recovery of the miners was wonderful news that would be celebrated by all Tasmanians.
“This is the news we had all been hoping and praying for,” he said.
