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| Historic cathedral in cash plea | Historic cathedral in cash plea |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The head of Westminster Cathedral has urged people to donate money towards the renovation of the 113-year-old church in central London. | |
| Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor wants Catholics and the wider public to help the Roman Catholic "mother church". | Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor wants Catholics and the wider public to help the Roman Catholic "mother church". |
| Last year, a structural survey of the church, in Victoria, revealed three of the its four domes and supporting arches required urgent repairs. | Last year, a structural survey of the church, in Victoria, revealed three of the its four domes and supporting arches required urgent repairs. |
| The renovation will take two years and will cost at least £3m. | The renovation will take two years and will cost at least £3m. |
| Westminster Cathedral, which opened its doors to public in 1903, does not charge an entry fee and voluntary donations are not sufficient to meet the costs of restoration. | Westminster Cathedral, which opened its doors to public in 1903, does not charge an entry fee and voluntary donations are not sufficient to meet the costs of restoration. |
| Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "Westminster Cathedral has been a symbol of the Catholic presence at the heart of our nation for over a hundred years. | Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "Westminster Cathedral has been a symbol of the Catholic presence at the heart of our nation for over a hundred years. |
| Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said the church needs £3m | Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said the church needs £3m |
| "It is a Grade 1 listed building that is recognised as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and Byzantine art in the world. | "It is a Grade 1 listed building that is recognised as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and Byzantine art in the world. |
| "However, time has taken its toll and we must now take urgent action to ensure the future of this living house of prayer," he said. | "However, time has taken its toll and we must now take urgent action to ensure the future of this living house of prayer," he said. |
| In the first phase of renovation, the domes and arches will be strengthened before the building's electrical and mechanical systems are modernised. | In the first phase of renovation, the domes and arches will be strengthened before the building's electrical and mechanical systems are modernised. |
| Galleries on the upper level will also undergo restoration work to make it accessible for public. | Galleries on the upper level will also undergo restoration work to make it accessible for public. |
| The security apparatus of the church will also be updated | The security apparatus of the church will also be updated |
| The galleries were closed 30 years ago after they were deemed unsafe. | The galleries were closed 30 years ago after they were deemed unsafe. |
| The renovation is expected to begin after Easter. | The renovation is expected to begin after Easter. |