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Poles raise funds to help rebuild Notre Dame

15.07.2019 07:00
Poles have collected some PLN 150,000 (USD 39,500, EUR 35,000) following an appeal to raise funds for the reconstruction of France's Notre Dame Cathedral.
Audio
Polish Radio CEO Andrzej Rogoyski (right) and Father Paweł Rytel-Adrianik (left), spokesman for the Polish Episcopal Conference, earlier this year discuss an effort to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral
Polish Radio CEO Andrzej Rogoyski (right) and Father Paweł Rytel-Adrianik (left), spokesman for the Polish Episcopal Conference, earlier this year discuss an effort to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral Polskie Radio

The blaze which ravaged the iconic edifice in Paris in April caused shock in Poland, a deeply Catholic country.

Public broadcaster Polish Radio launched a special website and backed a drive by the country’s church leaders to raise money to help rebuild the landmark.

Polish Radio CEO Andrzej Rogoyski has thanked listeners who supported the fundraising effort.

He said: “If we give something from ourselves, it is much easier for us to live.”

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, head of the Polish Episcopal Conference, the central authority of the Catholic Church in Poland, said shortly after the fire that Notre Dame should be seen “not only as a symbol of the priceless cultural heritage of Europe, but also as a symbol of Christian values."

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymański said at the time that Europeans should pool efforts to rebuild the Paris cathedral as a gesture of solidarity.

(pk/gs)
Source: IAR