The bells of our cathedrals will ring tomorrow evening to show solidarity with our sister cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.
From Carlisle in the north to Portsmouth in the south and everywhere in between – our 42 cathedrals – have responded to the call from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to toll their bells for seven minutes around 7pm on Maundy Thursday.
Read more about how cathedrals of England reacted to the Notre Dame Fire here.
The people of France and Paris are being remembered in prayers at daily services in our cathedrals throughout Holy Week and Easter.
The Dean of Wakefield, the Very Revd Simon Cowling said:
“The devastating fire in Notre Dame Cathedral was a sobering reminder of how easily we can take for granted the precious spiritual heritage that our great cathedrals and churches embody.
“We have been praying daily in Wakefield Cathedral for all those, not only in Paris but throughout France, for whom this great cathedral represents continuity in times of change, and hope in times of uncertainty.”
In Southwark there will be a post recital collection; Ripon is collecting for Notre Dame and Southwell Minster is donating its Easter Sunday 10.30am collection to the cause.
Many of our cathedrals have printed prayer cards with the prayer specially written following the fire, by the Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, and its French translation by the Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nick Papadopoulos.
In Coventry, evening prayer on Tuesday night was held in the ruins of the old cathedral – devastated as it was during WW2 – in solidarity with Notre Dame. The Lord’s Prayer was said in English and in French. A letter of support has been sent to Paris today signed by the Dean, the Very Revd John Witcombe, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth and civic leaders.
In Carlisle the Dean, Very Revd Mark Boyling has created a prayer station for people with an old book of illustrations of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester said:
“Our hearts go out to the people of Notre Dame and Paris following this unthinkable tragedy. We pray God gives them strength as they come to terms with this terrible event and begin the process of rebuilding.”
