Cathedral stands with Notre Dame

Chichester Cathedral rang its bells on Thursday in solidarity with Notre Dame following a ‘catastrophic’ fire the previous Monday night.

The Archbishop of Paris asked for the churches of France to ring their bells after a blaze at the 850-year-old cathedral which destroyed much of the roof and caused the historic spire to collapse.

In response to this, the Archbishop of Canterbury asked that the cathedrals and churches of the Church of England could, as far as possible, toll a bell on Maundy Thursday evening at 7pm for seven minutes.

Chichester Cathedral was one of many across the country which rang its bells in this way.

The Dean of Chichester, the Very Reverend Stephen Waine, said: “Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Paris who have suffered a catastrophic fire.

“To see such extensive damage to a church which has witnessed the Easter faith for over 850 years and is a cultural and historical landmark recognised throughout the world is shocking.

“The determination of those who have promised that the cathedral will be restored is inspiring and we will hold the clergy and people of Notre Dame in our prayers.”

The cathedral welcomed worshippers over the Easter period and a number of chapels were made available for private prayer.

Requests for prayer can be left at the shrine of St Richard and candles can be lit around the cathedral.