Religious Sites

A fire caused the roof and central spire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, to collapse on April 15. It is believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault associated with ongoing restoration work. Many of the cathedral’s treasures, including a relic of the crown of thorns, were saved. Sixteen historic bronze statues had been removed from the spire four days before the fire and are intact.

Gunmen attacked a church in the town of Silgadji, Burkina Faso, on April 28, killing seven people. The attackers fled before security forces could arrive at the scene. As of press time, no group had taken responsibility for the attack, but Islamist groups allied with Daesh and al-Qaeda are known to be operating in the country.

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Looking at 2019, here are selected news items and warnings from a few of Rick’s recent articles. — Editor

A gunman identified as an Australian white supremacist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing at least 50 people and injuring 20 others in what is being described as an act of terrorism.

After being chased off at the second targeted mosque by one of the worshipers, who had picked up an empty, discarded shotgun, the attacker was arrested when police rammed his car a few blocks from the first attack. Police believe he may have been headed to attack a third location. Two explosives found attached to his car were neutralized by police.