“France has lost a cultural icon that has stood for over eight centuries, and the world has lost a beloved symbol of Christianity. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame served as a beautiful center of faith for countless generations of Catholics and as a source of inspiration and architectural brilliance for the millions of tourists who were blessed to visit it. It is difficult to process this tragic loss. At the request of Archbishop Michel Aupetit, archbishop of Paris, I invite Maine churches to ring their bells as an invitation to prayer. The Diocese of Portland joins the faithful around the world in praying for the people of Paris and the first responders who continue to battle this fire.”