By Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Catholic Register, December 6, 2024
Father Raymond J. de Souza is the founding editor of Convivium magazine.
COMMENTARY: The celebration of the restoration of France’s famed cathedral is happening on the same weekend as a consistory of new cardinals at the Vatican, providing an intriguing juxtaposition rich with symbolism.
In Catholic news, a consistory to create new cardinals in Rome is always the dominant story of the day. But not this Saturday, as all Catholic eyes and the attention of much of the world will be fixed on Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
The new (2022) archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will not be required in Rome as he will not be created a cardinal. As with many other traditional cardinalatial sees, Pope Francis has not granted the red hat to Paris, neither to Archbishop Ulrich nor his predecessor. Nevertheless, scheduling a consistory for the same date as the previously planned reopening of Notre Dame does mean a division of attention.
The two ceremonies highlight the long and tangled history of church and state. ….