Five years after a suspicious fire badly damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, the famous Parisian building has been restored — and Rebel News was there to cover its reopening.

Much like we've seen in Canada, France has experienced a number of church burnings too. In 2021, there were 857 anti-Christian acts reported in the country, with the overwhelming majority being attacks on property. In 2023, 27 churches were burned down and there's been 14 so far in 2024.

One arson attack even saw the arrest of a multi recidivist. Notre-Dame itself came under threat from ISIS in 2016, leading to the French authorities to increase their presence around religious sites. 

We asked the people who came to see the cathedral's reopening if they thought bigotry against Christianity was forming and spreading across the Western world.

“This is possible,” said one French local, recalling arson attacks against churches. “I think each case is very, very separate and different. But in general, I would say that we do have some issues.”

Another man said Christians need to “wake up, mobilize, take action.” The attacks on churches and other sites were actions of “fools” but that “doesn't call everything into question,” said another. 

“Yes, but not because of the church burnings,” one woman said, pointing instead to a movement against Catholics over allegations of abuse in neighbouring Germany.

In the end, it seemed bizarre that many of the people who cared enough about the restoration of a Christian heritage site still couldn't — or wouldn't — acknowledge the reality facing the Christian church as the most persecuted religion in the world. Even if those attacks are close to home.

Would they take the attacks on places of worship more seriously if they were mosques instead of churches?

Please donate to support our independent coverage of the restoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is rising again after the devastating and suspicious 2019 fire, and Rebel News is determined to be on the ground in Paris to cover its grand reopening. The cause of the fire remains shrouded in mystery, and with France experiencing a surge in attacks on Christian churches, many believe it’s part of a broader pattern of hostility toward Christianity. Rebel News’ Sheila Gunn Reid and Alexa Lavoie will ensure this untold story reaches the world, but we need your support to make it happen. Help us uncover the truth behind Notre Dame’s restoration and amplify the voices of Christians fighting to protect their faith.

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