Temporary structure will host priests to address some of the millions of tourists who visit the site each year, chief priest says
Catholic worshipers feeling orphaned by the fire that ravaged part of Notre Dame will be welcomed in an “ephemeral cathedral” of wood in front of the Paris monument until it reopens, Notre Dame’s chief priest said Thursday.
Speaking to France’s CNews television channel, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet said: “We mustn’t say ‘the cathedral is closed for five years’ and that’s it.”
To give the faithful somewhere to congregate next to Notre Dame, he suggested: “Can I not build an ephemeral cathedral on the esplanade (in front of Notre Dame)?”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had backed the idea and agreed to give over part of the esplanade to the church for a wooden structure, he said.
