Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has asked that all parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia consider taking up a voluntary collection on the weekend of their choosing to assist with efforts to repair the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.
All contributed funds will be sent directly to the Archdiocese of Paris. While the building itself belongs to the French government, the day-to-day upkeep is the responsibility of the local Catholic Church. All contributed funds are intended to help the Archdiocese of Paris replace fixtures, furniture, vestments, linens, and sacred vessels, as well as a myriad of other needs.
In a statement issued on April 15th Archbishop Chaput said, “Throughout the day, I’ve monitored news reports regarding the fire overwhelming the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris with deep sadness and shock. For over 800 years, Notre-Dame has been one of the most iconic churches in Christendom—a testament to man’s desire to glorify God on earth and a beacon of hope for millions of pilgrims each year. The ongoing destruction being wrought by flames is doubly sorrowful as it comes during the holiest week of the Christian calendar.”
He went on to say, “I ask the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to join me in prayer to the Blessed Mother for the protection of fire personnel and first responders in Paris working to battle the blaze and provide for the safety of the community. We also pray that our Lord will bring comfort and peace to Archbishop Michael Aupetit as well as our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Paris, and the people of France at this time. In the face of desolation and devastation, we find hope in the Resurrection.”
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Editor’s Note: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s most recent column, “Holy Week And The Notre Dame Fire,” features French guest columnist M. Jean Duchesne, who cofounded the French edition of the Communio international theological journal and served as special assistant to the late Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris for more than 25 years. To read the complete column, please visit http://catholicphilly.com/2019/04/archbishop-chaput-column/holy-week-and-the-notre-dame-fire/.
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