One of the things I did in Paris, while I was overseas recently, was to walk around the surrounds of Notre Dame de Paris. It is one of my favourite places in Europe for its beauty and for its historical associations. It is sad not to be able to go inside the Cathedral and enjoy it. 

The work of repair and creative renovation goes on. Making the building safe was the first stage of the restoration. Then comes the rebuilding and remodelling of the Cathedral. The accompanying photograph collage gives some idea of how the site looks at the moment. In the first picture (left) looking at Notre Dame from the front shows little difference to its earlier state except for the safety fence all around it.

The second and third pictures (top left and right) show the right hand side of the Cathedral with the scaffolding around it from two different angles. The fourth picture (bottom left) shows a temporary building behind the Cathedral which looks like a block of offices. This it would seem is where those working on the Cathedral have their offices and working areas.

The fifth picture (bottom right) is of a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Paris. The original, which was normally on a pillar near the altar inside the Cathedral, could not be put in danger of the weather and so this copy was placed there for people to pray before.

The Cathedral belongs to the French State and so responsibility for its restoration falls to the State. The Church has the use of it and responsibility for all liturgical and devotional activities within it. President Macron would like it to be completed by the time of the Olympic in Paris in 2024. Achieving that will be a challenge I am sure.

By Fr Frank O’Loughlin