“The momentum of donors has swept away despair”

You manage the Notre Dame Foundation, which has worked extensively in collecting donations. Is this really its primary mission?

Yes. From the beginning, the dimension of education in Christian culture and transmission through art and religious heritage have been our main areas of intervention. It is true, however, that our actions also concern the fight against precariousness and vulnerability in the diocese of Paris. The Notre Dame Foundation was created in 1992 by Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger and the current archbishop, Mgr Ulrich, is its president. We thus support major projects such as the ongoing creation of a Maison de la Visitation, to welcome vulnerable people in the heart of the capital. We also support, through our sheltered foundations, more than 500 small projects each year in parishes and with local associations in France: distribution of parcels, help for holiday camps, canteen for the homeless.

How does this attention to culture translate into your actions?

We support various sacred music festivals, exhibitions, etc. Since 2014, we have hosted the Fondation Avenir du Patrimoine à Paris – which I previously chaired – which contributes to financing the restoration of churches in Paris. It is to meet this mission that we began, in 2016, to collect donations to contribute to the work planned on Notre-Dame. We were already looking for patrons when the fire broke out.

Where were you on the evening of April 15, 2019?

I was traveling in the Cévennes. I was alerted by a text message from a colleague who wrote to me “Let’s pray for Notre-Dame!” » I quickly understood that something serious was happening. I watched the images on television; optimistic by nature, I hoped that the fire would be extinguished quickly but when the arrow fell, I shared the despair of the whole world.

The next day, I went to greet Mgr Chauvet, the rector at the time, on the square, as one offers one’s condolences to a grieving friend. The firefighters let me approach Notre-Dame and I caught a glimpse of this black hole that the nave had become, with the golden cross still shining at the bottom. I was like hypnotized. I stayed on the square all day, in a state of shock.

Did you know the cathedral by heart?

I have been fortunate to have been able to follow his work closely for years. When the statues of the spire were removed for restoration, four days before the fire, I was offered on this occasion to visit “the forest”, that is to say the medieval framework. But I didn’t find the time that day, I thought I could do it on another occasion…

When did the donations start pouring in?

The next day, as for other official collectors. When your name is Fondation Notre Dame, that speaks immediately to donors! It was also complicated during the first days because our premises adjoining the cathedral were prohibited from entering. Therefore, the teams settled in the presbytery of the Saint-Séverin church, on the left bank of the Seine. The checks started arriving with poignant messages.

For example?

I remember this family who sent a 20 euro note with a card with the names of the twenty members who each donated one euro. Regardless of the amount, the moral value of each donation remains the same. And this momentum from donors young and old, French from all regions or foreigners, Christians or not, has carried us. An extraordinary force then swept away the despair. Of course, thanks to our major donors, we were able to finance most of the work. I would also like to point out that we did not issue them a tax receipt, unlike what we do for individuals. But all the donations have counted and continue to count for Notre-Dame.

Should we still give for the cathedral?

Quite! We continue to collect, independently of the national subscription, to finance the interior fittings and the reception of the 15 million visitors and faithful expected. This collection has already brought in 7 million euros and is still ongoing. After the reopening on December 8, we will also continue to support Notre-Dame by financing the next phases of work.

What creations have you financed?

Since the 1905 law separating Church and State, cathedrals have belonged to the State. The Church is only “assignee”, that is to say occupier free of charge. But like any tenant, she must arrange the premises, furnish them and make them work: this is how the Notre Dame Foundation collected for the new chairs, the five pieces of liturgical furniture, the reliquary shrine of the crown of thorns (read p. 78-79), the reconstruction of the choir organ, the extension and the new presentation of the treasure. We are also financing the repair of all modern means of lighting, sound, electrical and electronic circuits… not to mention better physical and digital reception facilities, modern and clear signage to help visitors take full advantage of Our- Lady.

How do you view these five years of construction today?

It was carried out in an incredible way! I am amazed by the commitment of each person who worked there and of all those who, through their donations, wanted to say “We cannot let Notre-Dame collapse”. Nowhere in the world, for any other monument in danger, has such a phenomenon existed. The Catholic that I am cannot help but see in it a message of Hope.