Gov. Larry Hogan, Archbishop William Lori Offer Prayers Following Notre Dame Fire
/ CBS Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The world is in shock as historic Paris landmark Notre Dame burns in Paris, France during Holy Week.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan shared his thoughts Monday about tragic fire at the iconic cathedral.
"Our hearts are breaking watching this horrific scene. Notre Dame is one of the world's most iconic cathedrals. It isn't just a part of France's history; it belongs to the world. Our prayers are with the first responders and everyone involved," Hogan shared on Facebook.
The Archbishop of Baltimore William Lori also reacted Monday to the fire raging at the Gothic cathedral.
"Archbishop Lori and the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore offer heart-felt prayers for the people of France as emergency personnel respond to a devastating fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," the archdiocese tweeted Monday.
Archbishop Lori and the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore offer heart-felt prayers for the people of France as emergency personnel respond to a devastating fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. (CNS photo/Julie Carriat, Reuters) pic.twitter.com/gpbHgxWje6
Later on Monday night, hundreds of parishioners packed into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen Monday night for Chrism Mass and to say a prayer for the Notre Dame Cathedral.
"We're united in the church family so it does affect all of us in a sentimental way," said Lisa Howard, a parishioner at the mass.
Notre Dame's roof and spire collapsed about 40 minutes after the fire was first reported.
"When I saw the pictures I was stunned," said Archbishop Lori. "I was so sad and I wanted to cry because it's irreplaceable even if someday we're able to reconstruct and build it as I hope we will it still will never be quite the same,"
In Baltimore, Archbishop Lori said some of the local seminaries are run by the Fathers from Paris, and the cathedral stands as a symbol of historic faith.
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)TOPSHOT - Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe. (Photo by Patrick ANIDJAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRICK ANIDJAR/AFP/Getty Images)The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze. (Photo by Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images)Bystanders look on as flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe. (Photo by ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway. (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)
"It stands as one of the great centers of Christian life so even if you've not been lucky enough to go to Paris and be there and attend a mass, you feel like it's a part of you, you feel like it's woven into the fabric of your faith," Lori said.
Parishioners said the loss is heartbreaking.
"Just sad. Very sad for all of us, my husband and I were shocked," said Sandy Komalli, a parishioner.
According to reports, the fire may have been started from work related to a $6.8 million renovation project of the cathedral.
