Locals react as fire ravages historic cathedral, draws world attention

In an interview with paNOW, Albert Thévenot, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert, said that the loss was not only felt in Paris, but across the world.

“It’s been a symbol of Paris, and the people of Paris for 800 years,” Thévenot said. “This is where the people assembled not only to pray, but to celebrate events in their history. It’s where the people of Paris gathered to give thanks to God for peace after the end of the Second World War. It was a place where art was exposed in all of its dimensions.”

He also added that the loss was exacerbated, as it fell so close to Easter.

“The Cathedral is the place, during Holy Week, where the Bishop gathers people across his Diocese to bless the oils used for baptism, conformation and what we give to anoint the ill,” Thévenot said. “It’s a special celebration that gathers the church, and the cathedral at that time becomes a symbol of the diocese, and the church present in the area. You could say the cathedral is where the heart of the diocese comes from.”

Thévenot extended his prayers for those close to the tragedy, and for the officials struggling to control the blaze.

“This will join us together as we start this Holy Week, to see the beauty in our faith, and what our faith can help us to overcome,” Thévenot said. “The greatest gift we carry is the gift of love. Notre Dame was a monument, its history shows how our people have developed and become what we are today.”

Stephanie Smnpietri is a Canadian who has lived in Paris for 11 years. As she walked through the streets of the city Monday night, she said thousands of people remained gathered in horror as they watched the treasured landmark burn. Some people sang while large groups of Catholics gathered and prayed out loud.

Parisians watch fire crews fight the flames at Notre Dame. (submitted/Stephanie Smnpietri)

The bridges to Île de la Cité were blocked off, she said, as crews fought the fire well into the night. But as some fire trucks left the island, the throngs of crowds applauded.

She and her sons — both of whom were born in Paris — were just playing in the gardens of the cathedral last weekend.

“Notre Dame is a place that means Paris to them,” she said. “It is a terrible loss.”

The reconstruction, she said, won’t be short or easy.

“It took more than 100 years to build it. Its architect did not see it finished in his lifetime. We may not see it finished in ours,” she said.

Thousands of Parisians stood in the street late into the night to watch as Notre Dame went up in flames. (submitted/Stephanie Smnpietri)

In the 1800s, the building fell into ruin and was slated to be torn down as it was considered an eye sore. Citizens fought to have it resorted. Victor Hugo wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame to draw attention to the building. It was saved and eventually restored.

France, for the past four months, has been embroiled in protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business reforms. The blaze sidelined Macron’s plans to deliver a speech about trying to heal the country from the Yellow Vest demonstrations that have defaced major landmarks in the capital. Some on social media called the fire a bad sign in the wake of it all.

Asked how she viewed the fire in light of recent events, Smnpietri made note of the country’s history of struggle and influence of change.

“There are many challenges right now but people here have the courage to fight for what they believe in and I am proud of them for it,” she said. “The French Revolution inspired political change all over the Western world and it came from citizens standing up. Just like they are doing today.”

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— with files from Tyler Marr

Brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy

by Brady Bateman

Locals react as fire ravages historic cathedral, draws world attention

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