Iconic Medieval Catholic Cathedral Ablaze

  On Monday of April 15,  the iconic Catholic Cathedral in Paris set ablaze. The Notre Dame is significant for many reasons. It began being built on the year 1163 in the 12th century and is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It brings in 12 million tourists each year making it the most visited monument in Paris. It is also featured in Victor Hugo’s classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”.
             American Cardinal of the catholic church says ,”Notre Dame is more than the sum of its tumultuous history. The cathedral, he said, "has long been a symbol of the transcendent human spirit as well as our longing for God." While Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster in England, called the cathedral "the heart of the faith" in Europe. Amid the fire, Catholics gathered around singing in prayer, united as the iconic spire toppled into the flames destroying two thirds of the roof.
                The week of the Cathedral’s destruction was Holy Week when Catholics mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Notre Dame Cathedral would soon have been preparing to display its holy relics on Good Friday. The Cathedrals Holy relics include the Crown of Thorns Jesus wore when he was resurrected, and The Blessed Sacrament which is a name for the body and blood of Christ in the form of consecrated bread and wine. According to the Cathedral, Catholics have prayed with the Holy Crown for over 16 centuries.
​               More than $1 billion has been donated for the repair and reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Donors in France and from around the world have pledged almost a billion euros including 565 million from the Arnault, Bettencourt Meyers and Pinault families,  France’s three richest dynasties.

Reporter: Claudia Arce