The Bishop's Palace, the stone building behind St. Michael's Basilica, which was once the residence for nuns and clergy, was burning on Easter Sunday.

According to church sources, the building was slated to be demolished on March 30, but concern from the community delayed the demolition until April 6. Concerned citizens were permitted to tour the vandalized structure last week, with the excavator sitting outside ready to turn it into rubble on April 6, at a cost of $118,000.

Sources say vandalism had rendered the building unusable and too expensive to repair. Some local people were petitioning the church to consider raising money to reform the building for residential purposes.

Shortly after noon today, someone reported seeing smoke coming out of the building, and soon after a ladder truck from the Miramichi Fire Department was pouring water into an upper window to douse flames. Wind from the south carried smoke that enveloped the steeple of the church, but it is not known if there is any smoke damage to the basilica.

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