Suspect arrested for arson in burning of historic Catholic church in New Brunswick, Canada

Officials said Saint-Simon Catholic Church on the Acadian Peninsula was a “total loss” after a massive blaze destroyed it.

A man is in police custody on charges of arson after a historic church in the Canadian province of New Brunswick burned to the ground.

Saint-Simon Catholic Church near the town of Caraquet was reduced to ashes and was considered a “total loss,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Aug. 25.

The fire, which consumed the church on Aug. 24, had been “intentionally set,” according to authorities. Police said in a news release that they arrested 68-year-old Gilles Mallet on suspicion of starting the blaze.

In a Facebook post, meanwhile, the town of Caraquet called the parish “a true emblem of our heritage.”

“Far more than just a building, this church held a significant place in our region’s collective memory and cultural life,” the town’s post said.

The parish “welcomed generations of families, hosted gatherings and performances, and was the setting for countless moments that brought our community to life.”

Monica Albert Légère, who lives near the parish, echoed those remarks when she told EWTN News on Aug. 26 that the church was “more than just a building.”

“It was a gathering place — it was the soul and the heart of Saint-Simon,” she said.

She said some commentators blamed immigrants for the blaze, though “no one in Saint-Simon” has leveled such blame. She described local immigrants as “all very kind.”

“We are all heartbroken, of course, but we are united and standing together, and we will get back on our feet as one,” she said.

In an Aug. 24 statement, Bathurst Bishop Michel Proulx, O Praem, said he was “devastated” by the blaze.

“This event has plunged us into deep sorrow,” the bishop wrote, describing the burned parish as an “immeasurable loss.”

“So many memories are tied to this beautiful wooden church: baptisms, weddings, funerals, and so many other significant events,” he said. “Several generations of Christians celebrated their faith there, and it was the precious legacy of our ancestors.”

The bishop said he was offering prayers and support to the Saint-Simon community.

The parish’s roots stretch back more than a century. News reports indicated the church dated to 1918, while the Bathurst directory says that the parish began as a mission in 1910.