Southern Nebraska Register
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln will join other cathedrals in the United States in ringing their bells at 1 p.m. CT, coinciding with the Rite of Opening the Doors of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors had been closed since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.
The invitation to dioceses in the U.S. to peal their bells is a gesture of unity.
“When particular communities and churches within the Body of Christ suffer a tragedy, the entire Church suffers,” Bishop James Conley of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln said. “This would be particularly true of the iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Let us all join together in celebration to mark the restoration of the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The Diocese of Lincoln is honored to participate in this joyous occasion.”
Through a special online collection established by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in 2019, the faithful of the U.S. contributed more than $500,000 toward the restoration of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, which is dedicated to Our Lady.
In support of the initiative, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ president, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, commented, “in addition to the funds donated, this gesture of uniting our local churches with the Cathedral of Paris would be one more sign of our union to the eldest daughter of the Church whose forefathers contributed so much to the U.S. struggle for independence.”
Read also: Treasures, relics that survived the Notre Dame fire
