Pope Francis called, in a telegram addressed to the Archbishop of Paris, for the “mobilization of everyone” so that the cathedral “can once again become, thanks to the reconstruction work and the mobilization of all, that beautiful jewel in the heart of the city, a sign of the faith of those who built it, the mother church of your diocese, an architectural and spiritual heritage of Paris, France, and humanity.”
Restoring the building will take “years of work,” estimated the new president of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF), Éric de Moulins-Beaufort.
After the fire that ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris yesterday, Monday, French and international solidarity is being organized to finance the reconstruction of the centuries-old edifice. A task that promises to be colossal in view of the damage.
President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron declared on Monday evening that a national subscription would be launched and that “far beyond our borders, we will call upon the greatest talents (…), who will come to contribute, and we will rebuild.”
Many communities and businesses have announced that they will participate in the reconstruction effort.
An advantageous tax policy for patron companies
Since the Aillagon law of 2003, aimed at promoting the financing of culture, companies can deduct 60% of their expenses for sponsorship, with the possibility of benefiting from a staggered tax advantage over five years, within a limit of 25% of the donation. This tax reduction can even reach 90% when it involves the purchase of cultural goods considered as “national treasures” or having “major interest for national heritage.” The discount is then applied within the limit of 50% of the tax owed.
This measure, meaning that the company ultimately only contributes 10% of its donation, theoretically cannot apply to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris: this extension has sometimes been considered by the Ministry of Culture, without success.
However, several voices have been raised since Monday evening to push the government to offer as advantageous a tax policy as possible.
