Now Mr Nelson, in the latest attempt to make it seem like he and the Pope have become bosom buddies, has made it known that he has written to the Pope to offer his condolences.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote words of comfort and encouragement to Pope Francis in the wake of the devastating fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, April 15, 2019.
In his letter, President Nelson expressed profound sadness at the damage done to this sacred structure that has stood for more than 800 years. President Nelson, the leader of a 16.3 million-member faith community, told the Bishop of Rome that his thoughts immediately went to him and the many beloved friends in the Catholic faith. He said he is heartbroken by the tragedy to such an ageless symbol of faith and shares his feelings of grief.
President Nelson said he prays Notre Dame will rise again in newness of life.
https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/ ... -dame-fire
But he’s made a political faux pas. The Pope and the Catholic Church don’t own Notre Dame, it’s not their building. The person to whom Mr Nelson should be offering condolences to is actually President Macron, the President Of France and/or the French Minister of Culture. Or even perhaps The Friends Of Notre Dame.
The French Ministry of Culture owns Notre Dame and is responsible for its maintenance.
The state used to foot the bill for all of Notre Dame’s upkeep.
But in recent years the high cost of the repairs Notre Dame needed meant the French Ministry of Culture could no longer pay to maintain it.
This saw the Archbishop of Paris and the Diocese of Paris create the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris organisation.
The Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris is a charity that urges people to donate money to go towards the cathedral’s upkeep.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/11 ... notre-dame
I thought this was interesting - The Friends Of Notre Dame weren’t seeking the renovation funds from the Catholic Church, or from the French people...
The French state allocates €2 million ($2.2 million) a year for restoration works. According to Picaud, the repairs needed would cost 50 times as much, around €100 million ($113 million), and would need to happen within the next decade. His foundation is appealing to the U.S. and its private philanthropic tradition to shoulder the bill, since, he said, Notre Dame is also a part of American history.
“In World War II for example, when French and American troops liberated Paris from occupying German forces, the celebrations took place in front of Notre Dame,” Picaud said. He said several donors in the United States have already gotten in touch to offer financial support. “I think the Americans consider part of the history that took place in Europe as part of their own,” Picaud remarked.
Once again the Pope sets an example for Mr Nelson...
Pope Francis has told his weekly audience at St. Peter's Square of his sadness over the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, the seat of the Paris archdiocese.
The pope said Wednesday that "I take this opportunity to express to the Paris diocesan community, all Parisians and the entire French population my great affection and my closeness after the fire in Notre Dame Cathedral."
Addressing those gathered, pope said, "I was very sad and I feel very close to all of you."
He expressed "the gratitude of the whole church to those who did their utmost to save the Basilica, also risking their lives."
The pope on Tuesday sent a telegram of condolences to Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetitand and phoned French President Emmanuel Macron to express his solidarity.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-lates ... -dame-fire
Note the Pope’s comments are all about the people of France rather than the building. Note he writes to the President of France, the ultimate “owner” of the building.
Mr Nelson should have sent condolences to the French nation, not the Catholic one.