For believers, the question is sacrilegious. When should a church charge an admission fee? After all, a church is where many people go to be with God. It is a place of refuge. And it should be open to all, regardless of wealth. If Satan tempts, a church is a sanctuary.
And yet the most famous cathedral in the world, Notre-Dame in Paris, is contemplating an admission fee when it reopens in December. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has argued for a fee of €5 (S$7.10), saying it would raise €75 million, which would be enough to "save all the churches in Paris and France". That might be seen as a religious priority, especially given the country's fiscal difficulties.
The Catholic Church opposes the plan, citing a 1905 law stipulating that churches must stay open to the public for free. The government says charging "cultural visitors" is permissible, provided they are not there for religious services.
This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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