• Statement on the fire at Notre Dame

  15/04/2019

  The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral is a tragedy not only for Paris and the people of France but for the world.

  Those who know the building will be unable to see the pictures of the fire without feeling heartbroken.

  So many different things that make up the building are priceless – the medieval roof, the woodwork, the organ, the stained glass, the relics. But this tragedy is more than the loss of them all. It is the loss of the heart of Paris, the loss of a place of pilgrimage and the loss of a place of romance.

  Every day this week, Christians will be reflecting on the heartbreak of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to whom Notre Dame was dedicated. Every day as we do so, we will be praying for the Paris its people as they face their own heartbreak.

  Notre Dame means Our Lady. Notre Dame doesn’t just belong to Paris, it belongs to us all.

  This was a building that is utterly associated with Paris. But it was an utterly priceless treasure for the world.

  It was truly ours, and this tragedy is our tragedy.

  Our Lady of Paris, pray for us and for all affected locally.

  Our Lady of Paris, we pray for you.

Previous Posts

• Michael Perham and Gracious Restraint

  02/05/2014

  I see that at his diocesan synod, the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Michael Perham has made a very passionate plea for even more “gracious restraint”. “My own view is that what is needed in the Church at present is gracious restraint. We need a cool and calm period in which to explore the…

• A Christian Country?

  28/04/2014

  I’ve been watching the various debates about whether “we” live in a Christian country with interest over the last 10 days or so. I’m inclined to agree with the notion that the UK clearly has such a great heritage from the Christian tradition that it makes sense to speak of it as having been a…

• The Cure

  24/04/2014

  Over the past few weeks, I’ve not been terribly well. Bronchitis was the doctor’s diagnosis and it has gone on and on. I thought it might be helpful to share the advice that I’ve been given in order to get better. After all, it could happen to you. paracetamol lemsip going to the doctor cough…

• The rules

  23/04/2014

  Here’s how we are going to get along. Black shoes in the sanctuary Play nicely Don’t copy the provost/pope/prime minister into emails that are addressed to anyone else No boring worship Obey the moratorium on unnecessary exclamation marks! No communion for dogs, not even on St Francis’s Day Communion for all humans any day Black…