A beloved Catholic landmark in Montreal has been left in ruins after a devastating fire tore through the historic Saint-Paul Catholic Church, raising renewed concerns among the faithful about the ongoing wave of attacks against churches across Canada.
According to LifeSiteNews, the more than 100-year-old Saint-Paul Catholic Church in Montreal, Quebec, erupted in flames on February 23. The blaze reduced much of the structure to near rubble. A neighboring food bank was also destroyed in the fire.
Built in 1910, the church has long held deep historical and spiritual significance for the local community. Though it had reportedly been vacant for some time, its presence remained a visible reminder of the Catholic faith in the borough of Côte-Saint-Paul.
The intensity of the fire forced approximately 148 people to flee the surrounding area, including more than 70 elderly residents from a nearby care home, according to LifeSiteNews. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported in connection with the blaze.
Photo: @CityNews