His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, expressed his solidarity with the Catholic Christians in France in the difficult situation caused by the fire that affected Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

On Monday, April 15, 2019, a fierce fire affected Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, a church symbol of Western Christendom and world cultural landmark of great importance for France and Europe.

"We are deeply saddened to see this historic cathedral, the heart of Paris, consumed by flames under our eyes. It is not only a worship place of the Catholic Church but a symbol and cultural landmark of all Western and world’s Christian civilization. We stand in solidarity with the Catholic clergy and faithful of France in these difficult moments" said H.G. Ioan Casian, on behalf of the clergy and believers of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.

"Let us pray God to help and to strengthen them in this difficult situation which came at the beginning of the Passion Week of the Catholic Church! It is a sad event that moves our hearts to pray" added the hierarch.

"From a personal standpoint the emotion is all the more profound since during the 5 years I spent in France, of which 4 years in Paris, I have often visited this cathedral, a masterpiece of the Western Christian architecture and one of the most well-known and visited monuments in Paris which stand witnessing in the heart of Paris of the presence of God and His role in human civilisation" said H.G. Bishop Ioan Casian.