TORONTO — The Archbishop of Toronto said Monday the fire that heavily damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a tragic event that has touched people everywhere.
"All around the world, all of us feel a certain sadness in our hearts at the thought of the people of Paris losing not only such an astonishing, most beautiful cathedral in the world, but their cathedral," Thomas Cardinal Collins said. "It is their church."
In Montreal, the bells of the city's Notre-Dame Basilica rang out in solidarity as the Paris landmark was consumed by flames.
Absolutely heartbreaking to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral in flames. Canadians are thinking of our friends in France as you fight this devastating fire.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 15, 2019
Pastor Miguel Castellanos said in a post on the Montreal church's Facebook page that he's in shock over the news of the fire at Notre Dame de Paris, which he described as a jewel of architecture and an exceptional cultural, historical and religious symbol.
"My prayers are for the French people, the diocese of Paris, and everyone who will have to work hard to rebuild an international treasure, eternal and powerful," Castellanos said.
Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can. pic.twitter.com/SpMEvv1BzB
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2019
"Our heritage is very fragile. Together, let’s take great care of it to preserve our treasures."
Collins said a cathedral is meant to be a sign of beauty that leads to truth and goodness. He said the destruction has affected so many people because of its history and magnificence.
INSIDE NOTRE DAME: Footage shows smoldering interior of Paris' iconic Notre Dame cathedral.
— ABC News (@ABC) April 16, 2019
Firefighters this morning declared success in their battle to extinguish the flames that engulfed the building. https://t.co/4d0RPNfXte pic.twitter.com/ck50sGakMf
The archbishop pointed out that the fire has come in the week before Easter, the holiest time of the year for Christians.
The fire apparently erupted Monday in the roof of the medieval church, which was undergoing a major restoration. Flames and smoke could be seen engulfing the structure, with the spire collapsing into the church. The cause of the fire remains unclear.
Collins said he didn't expect any type of special mass in light of the Notre Dame fire. He said that's because the cathedral is bricks, stone and mortar that is beautiful and significant, but of most importance is the "suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord."
More than $678 million has already been donated to restore Notre Dame Cathedral after several CEOs stepped up with pledges pic.twitter.com/J6jY8atsFo
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 16, 2019
In addition to sharing a name with the French cathedral, Old Montreal's gothic revival-style basilica owes its architectural inspiration to the two towers of Notre-Dame de Paris. Castellanos offered prayers to the French people and all those affected by the fire.
French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault’s family and his LVMH luxury goods group will donate 200 million euros ($226 million) to help repair Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral, said a statement issued on behalf of Arnault.
“The Arnault family and the LVMH group would like to show their solidarity ata this time of national tragedy, and are joining up to help rebuild this extraordinary cathedral, which is a symbol of France, of its heritage and of French unity,” said the statement.
This is the footage that astonished the world in the 24 hours since fire took hold of Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral #BBCNewsSix
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 16, 2019
[Tap to expand] https://t.co/IF44SMabo1 pic.twitter.com/v4C9ZVqR4T
Arnault’s pledge follows a similar 100 million euros donation for Notre-Dame from Francois Henri Pinault, who heads the Kering luxury goods company.