A Mahanoy City man has been charged with detonating an explosive device inside a church chapel.
Kyle Kuczynski, 32, was arrested on felony arson, reckless burning or exploding, possession of explosives, risking catastrophe, criminal mischief, and ethnic intimidation charges.
Kuczynski was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Magistrate Judge Anthony Kilker and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. Kilker denied him bail, labeling him a threat to public safety.
According to an arrest report filed by police in Mahanoy City, officers were dispatched Tuesday night to Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish on W. Mahanoy St. for a reported burglar alarm.
When officers arrived on scene, they eventually made their way to the church’s Solemn Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament chapel, which is open 24 hours a day.
As they made their way down a small flight of stairs to the chapel, officers say they encountered heavy smoke and smelled gunpowder.
Police say they saw a large hole in the altar inside the chapel and several holes were in the stained glass windows there. Plaques were thrown off the wall and debris was strewn about the room. Several ceiling tiles were also damaged, police say.
Contact was made with Rev. Kevin Gallagher, who told police he was en route to the chapel. Once he arrived, security video was viewed.
On that video, Kuczynski was seen entering the chapel at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. Kuczynski alleged walked up to the altar and placed an object on it. He then lights the object and then quickly walks away. The object he lit began sparking, police say.
Kuczynski, police noted, walked away with a limp.
About 12 seconds after walking away, the object on the altar exploded. Video also shows Kuczynski pulling up in a vehicle and then driving away.
Rev. Gallagher told police that another alarm was tripped on Sunday. Dispatchers at Schuylkill County 9-1-1 told police they got an alarm call from the chapel at about 1:30 a.m. Monday.W
When police reviewed footage from that time frame, they say Kuczynski is seen walking up to the altar and waving his hands, testing the alarm.
Damage to the stained glass windows is estimated at about $15,000.
Police caught up to Kuczynski after the explosion and found him on the front porch of his home on E. Centre St. in Mahanoy City.
In response to this incident, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, says in a statement, “Belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist is central to the Catholic Faith. To use an explosive device to destroy the Blessed Sacrament is an act of darkest evil.
I thank God that no one was injured in the incident, and that the suspect has been taken into custody by law enforcement.
At the same time, I am heartbroken that such a heinous, hateful, and evil act occurred at St. Teresa of Calcutta. This act of religious hate is an affront to the long and devout history of faith among the people of Mahanoy City.
While offering forgiveness, I pray the person who perpetrated this crime will receive the help needed and the justice demanded for their actions.”
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