PHL priest says Notre-Dame is ‘mankind's patrimony,’ fears for famed ‘rose’ glass windows

A priest on Tuesday lamented the fire incident that engulfed the centuries-old Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, noting that the structure is a "patrimony of mankind."

"Historically, religiously ay hindi lang siya patrimony ng Catholic Church. Patrimony 'yan ng sangkatauhan kaya't napakalaking kawalan kung ano 'yung extent ng damage niyan," Fr. Melvin Castro, chancellor of the Diocese of Tarlac, said in a phone interview on News To Go.

"Para sa Simbahang Katolika, simbolo siya ng Katolisismo ng Pransya pero higit doon ay kaya ng dineklara siya na World Heritage Site sapagkat talagang patrimony siya ng buong mundo," Castro added.

Castro said he had visited the 800-year-old Cathedral twice as a pilgrim, adding that he was mesmerized by the beauty of the Cathedral's stained-glass rose windows.

"As a pilgrim, ang pinaka di ko makakalimutan diyan na nakakatakot na baka 'yun ang nasira totally 'yung tinatawag na rose stained glasses niya. 'Yun talaga ang dinadayo sapagkat napakaganda nung stained glasses niya na hundreds of years na... 'Yung sinag ng araw pag tinamaan 'yan talagang heavenly..." he said.

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, was the setting in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame."

It is a focal point for French Roman Catholics who like Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus.

According to Castro, the Cathedral houses some church artifacts including the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ and some nails which were believed to have been used during Jesus' crucifixion.

He added that the Notre-Dame Cathedral is the heart of all the churches in France.

"Ang pinakapuso ng simbahan ng Pransya ay 'yang Notre-Dame. Andiyan 'yung kinoconsider ng Crown of Thorns ng Panginoong Hesukristo, so kung nasalba 'yun napakalaking bagay nun. Meron pa silang pako, they consider na isa sa mga pako na ipinako sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo," Castro said.

Meanwhile, the Paroisse Catholique Francophone de Manille or the Catholic French Parish of Manila asked for prayers following the huge fire incident.

"Let's pray Notre-Dame to protect all those who are mobilizing to define this fire. Let us pray for the diocese of Paris who must find a place to celebrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus," it said in a statement.

"Let us pray for the church of France in the storm and for our country in crisis too. Let the resurrection give us courage," it added.

'Pray for Notre-Dame'

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Catholic French Parish of Manila expressed its shock at the damage to the historic edifice. 

"We are all in the shock of the fire of our lady of Paris, more than a symbol of our nation. Let's pray Notre-Dame to protect all those who are mobilizing to define this fire. Let us pray for the diocese of Paris who must find a place to celebrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus. Let us pray for the church of France in the storm and for our country in crisis too. Let the resurrection give us courage," said Father Bernard of the Paroisse Catholique Francophone de Manille.

The cathedral was in the midst of renovations. Built over a century starting in 1163, Notre-Dame is considered to be among the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM/BM, GMA News