The historic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in Nantes, France was engulfed in flames early Saturday morning, July 18. Law enforcement authorities suspect arson, and an investigation is underway. The construction of the beautiful Gothic cathedral, which is listed as an historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture, began in 1434, and was completed in 1891. Firefighters contained the fire, but the organ was completely destroyed.
This comes at the same time that multiple churches in the U.S. have been set on fire and vandalized, including statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. On July 10, a fire destroyed the Faith Tabernacle Pentacostal Church in Elkmont, Alabama. On July 11, a man drove into the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida, before setting it on fire. The same day, fire engulfed the San Gabriel Mission Church in California. The church was founded in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra, as one of 21 Spanish Missions throughout the state. In June, statues of Junipero Serra were vandalized and torn down by rioters in Los Angeles and in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
