The archbishop of Paris sported some unusual headgear for the first Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral since a devastating fire damaged the Gothic landmark two months ago.
He and everyone else in the house wore hard hats so they could worship in safety.
Only about 30 people — mainly priests, canons and church employees, but also some workers rebuilding the church — were able to attend the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Michel Aupetit in a chapel behind the choir, a part of the ravaged building confirmed as safe.
The annual Dedication Mass commemorated the cathedral’s consecration.
“This cathedral is a place of worship, it is its very own and unique purpose,” Aupetit declared.
The Mass also aired live on a Catholic TV station. Burnt wood and construction planks could be seen in the background of the broadcast, along with a famous statue of the Virgin and Child that appeared intact.
It is still unclear when the cathedral will reopen to the public, but Catholic leaders want to draw attention to Notre Dame, in part because donations to restore the 856-year-old building have only been trickling in since the April 15 blaze, which caused the roof and spire to collapse.
So far, small donations from Americans and French individuals are paying the bills and salaries of the cathedral’s 150 workers.
The ultra-wealthy donors who promised almost $1 billion haven’t ponied up a cent.
French President Emmanuel Macron has set a target of five years for restoring the cathedral, though many experts question whether that timeline is realistic.
One French priest called the service “a true happiness, full of hope.”
“Today it’s a small but a true victory against the disaster we have had,” Father Pierre Vivares told the Associated Press outside the cathedral.
“We will rebuild this cathedral. It will take time, of course — a lot of money, lot of time, lot of work — but we will succeed.”
With Post wires