“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.

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.”

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia