Exhibit 24.2

                            SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE



     I, ROBERT L. PRATTER, Secretary of PMA CAPITAL CORPORATION, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
hereby certify that the following resolution was adopted at the March 3, 1999
meeting of the Executive Committee:

     RESOLVED, that each Officer and Director of the Corporation who may be
required to execute (whether on behalf of the Corporation or as an Officer or
Director thereof) the Corporation's Annual Report on form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, and any amendments thereto, (the "Form 10-K") is hereby
authorized to execute and deliver a power of attorney appointing such person or
persons named therein as true and lawful attorneys and agents to execute in the
name, place and stead (in any such capacity) of any such Officer or Director and
to file any such power of attorney together with the Form 10-K with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

     RESOLVED, that the Officers of the Corporation, and each of them, are
hereby authorized to sign the Form 10-K in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and as attorneys for each of its Directors and Officers who execute
and deliver the aforesaid powers of attorney.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the Corporation, this 24th day of March, 1999.



                                         /s/Robert L. Pratter
                                         --------------------
                                         Secretary

(SEAL)