4 powerful reactions to the Notre Dame fire: Relics saved, $1 billion in donations pledged

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

Relics rescued

In this handout image provided by Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris, firefighters battle the blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019 in Paris, France. A fire broke out on Monday afternoon and quickly spread across the building, collapsing the spire. The cause is yet unknown but officials said it was possibly linked to ongoing renovation work.
In this handout image provided by Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris, firefighters battle the blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019 in Paris, France. A fire broke out on Monday afternoon and quickly spread across the building, collapsing the spire. The cause is yet unknown but officials said it was possibly linked to ongoing renovation work. | Photo: BSPP via Getty Images/Benoît Moser

Notre Dame Cathedral is known for having numerous relics, including a crown of thorns that some believe was the crown worn by Jesus when he was crucified.

Jean-Francois Martins, Paris' Deputy Mayor for Tourism and Sports, explained in an interview with “CBS This Morning” that during the fire, locals formed a “human chain” to help bring the relics and various artwork to safety.

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“We made a human chain, with our friends from the church ... to get, as quick as possible, to get all the relics,” said Martins.

“Thanks to the great bravery of all our firefighters, and as well all the public servants there, we had a very quick intervention. Very quickly a team was fully dedicated to save all these holy pieces, and specifically the relics and the crown.”

Martins went on to note that all the precious items were “safe and undamaged,” referring to it as “good news” amid “our really bad day.”

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