Religion: Reims Restored

In 1914, when the world had had less experience with high-explosive municipal warfare than it has had since, vast was its indignation that in a single day in the first battle of the Marne, 287 German shells smashed into the 800-year-old Cathedral of Reims. By 1919 the Cathedral was a shambles, its 400-ton lead roof melted, nearly all of its great stained-glass windows blown out, 24 of its 35 ancient statues wrecked, all its flying buttresses demolished or badly damaged. Altogether the damage amounted to 140,000,000 francs (then $27,000,000). Among benefactors who contributed millions of francs to the restoration of Reims were the late ex-Empress Eugénie of France and John D. Rockefeller Jr.. the latter giving 15,000,000 francs to rebuild the roof, install a 13-bell carillon.

Last week the lengthy job of repairing the Cathedral was completed. Solemnly on Sunday, Emmanuel Cardinal Suhard, present Archbishop of Reims, consecrated the edifice for worship, in the presence of Monsignor Valerio Valeri, Papal Nuncio to France, and many another representative of Church and State.