Father Murray on Notre Dame fire: 'The building was destroyed but the faith was not'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Part of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral may be destroyed, but as believers around the world observe Holy Week, their faith is alive and all eyes are on what's next: Resurrection.
Father Gerald Murray of the Church of the Holy Family in Manhattan emphasized this message as many Catholic leaders reacted to the catastrophic fire at the iconic 12th-century church, home to priceless relics, stained glass windows, and other works of art.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The Cathedral really symbolizes the body of Christ," Murray told "America's Newsroom" Tuesday. "We say that the church is the mystical body all the believers join together, so the church is actually in the form of a cross...The church is also called the House of God, so really it's the place you encounter God on Earth, and as this church burned, I was reminded that what really counts is not the building, but the people."
Monday night, French President Emmanuel Macron promised Notre Dame Cathedral will be rebuilt.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'm glad that they're going to rebuild, but the most important thing, and that's what Holy Week symbolizes, is individual believers united in faith and prayer," Father Murray added.
While the flames engulfed the Notre Dame church building, onlookers gathered and sang "Ave Maria" and prayed as tears streamed down many faces.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"When a church burns, it reminds us that we have no lasting city here," the priest added. "We're all pilgrims on the planet, so when the flames went up, we could say the building was destroyed but the faith was not destroyed."
He noted that many were praying for their faith to be strengthened as the building was being destroyed.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But leaders have vowed to rebuild.
"That really is the message of hope," Father Murray said. "Easter's coming up on Sunday. The message of hope, resurrection, new life.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It really is a sign people know there's more to life than simply what we see...we're going to rebuild this temple dedicated to Our Lady, a symbol not only to French Catholicism but the belief of all Christians throughout the world."