Timothy Cardinal Dolan gives update on Notre Dame, shares his Easter message
Archbishop of New York Timothy Cardinal Dolan has an update on Notre Dame cathedral and shares his holiday message on 'Fox & Friends.'
In the aftermath of the Notre Dame fire, New York's most prominent Catholic leader says there is "good news" to share.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York told "Fox & Friends" it was positive to hear the foundation of the Gothic cathedral was still standing.
"The other good news, we have to admit it, is that this was an accident," Dolan said. "I think all of us in the beginning though, 'Oh no, this is a terrorist act. It's going to bring more division and violence and hatred,' but thank God that didn't happen."
He added: "You see this city on its knees. You see this city crying. You see this city rallying around in prayer, not only to mourn for Notre Dame but to plan for its resurrection...I found it a very consoling message for this Holy Week."
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Dolan's comments come as religious and non-religious around the world all watched Monday evening as the Pais structure burned, unsure if it could be saved.
The Catholic leader said the following days, the reactions and responses to Notre Dame, have shown that "deep down in the human psyche, we're hardwired for the divine and we kind of hide that and ignore that and even sometimes deny it, but in moments like this, that comes to the surface, and I found it kind of consoling."
Father Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain to the Paris Fire Brigade, was credited as a hero for running in to save sacred sacraments as the flames continued to burn.
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The priest, who served in Afghanistan as an army chaplain, was credited with saving the Crown of Thorns and other holy relics.
Dolan, on Good Friday, said Christians call the day Jesus was crucified good because "good triumphs over evil."
Recent surveys show religion is declining in America, but Dolan points out that Americans want to believe, they just need a place where they can belong.
"We've got our work cut out for us," Dolan said, but he believes this trend will change, especially in France in the wake of the Notre Dame fire.
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"I wonder if around the kitchen tables of France they're saying, 'Wow. Is the destruction of Notre Dame, somewhat of an icon, of the deterioration of our faith and do we need to something about it?'"
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