Instead, it has been mainly American citizens, through the charitable foundation Friends of Notre Dame, who have footed the bills and paid salaries for up to 150 workers employed since the April 15 fire that devastated the cathedral’s roof and caused its famous spire to collapse.

This month the foundation is handing over the first payment for the cathedral’s reconstruction of 3.6 million euros (£3.2 million).

“The big donors haven’t paid. Not a cent,” said Andre Finot, senior press official at Notre Dame.

“They want to know what exactly their money is being spent on and if they agree to it before they hand it over, and not just to pay employees’ salaries.”

Hundreds of millions was promised by some of France’s richest and most powerful families and companies, some of whom sought to outbid each other, in the hours and days after the fire.

It prompted criticism that the donations were as much about the vanity of the donors wishing to be immortalised in the edifice’s fabled stones than the preservation of church heritage.

Francois Pinault of Artemis, the parent company of Kering which owns Gucci and Saint Laurent, promised 100 million euros (£90 million), while Patrick Pouyanne, chief executive of French energy company Total, said his firm would match that figure.

Bernard Arnault, chief executive of luxury giant LVMH…

The latest incident saw another church raided by government agents with the locks changed last month.

The cross was also removed at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Tabriz with the church warden asked to leave.

It comes after sustained crackdown on the Christian community in the country.

In a prayer request distributed through religious freedom charity Middle East Concern, believers in Iran ask for prayer that: “Christians in Iran of all ethnicities, creeds and language groups, including converts from Islam, will have the freedom to practice their religion

“That the Lord will encourage and comfort the pastor and congregation of Tabriz Evangelical Church and the Iranian regime will be responsive to national and international calls for the protection of religious minorities and their property.”

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As a representative for the National Churches Trust (NCT), the Monty Python actor has spoken out about the threats facing churches and chapels in the UK.

Deathwatch beetles can cause significant structural damage to the wood of historic churches and cathedrals as their larvae burrow through the timber.

In an animated film for the charity, Mr Palin is encouraging members of the public to join the NCT’s Friends scheme, to provide urgent repairs in a bid to prevent the closure of historic church buildings across the country.

He said: “Churches and chapels are fascinating and sometimes surprising places to visit,

“They are rich with history and stunning architecture and also places for quiet reflection and venues for concerts, exhibitions and even beer festivals.

“But sadly many are threatened by leaking roofs, crumbling stonework. And even death watch beetles.

“The animation shows just how important churches are to our history and heritage and also to local communities. With post offices, shops and even pubs closing, churches are often the only community building left in many parts of the country.”

The NCT say churches are the heart of local communities and should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The trust gave out a total of £1.2 million in grants to churches and chapels in need of urgent repairs in 2018.

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The initiative that aims to combat isolation and explore the benefits of talking to strangers was rolled out across Buses, coaches, trams and trains on Friday, As part of the Crossing Divides On the Move day.

Pastor Oli Stevens from Kings Church Eastbourne told Premier the transport initiative was a great opportunity to connect with those around us: “So often we get so busy with our lives and forget to look up and look to the people that we are sat amongst and ways that we can show kindness towards them striking up a conversation, leaving a random gift for them or something to try and brighten their day.

Community engagement has been a key focus of church life for many years with congregations across the country serving their neighbours through various outreach initiatives.

Kings Church has been using it’s ‘Love Eastbourne’ project to bless strangers across the town through acts of kindness.

Mr Steven’s said it’s important to follow Jesus’ example: “[Jesus says] if I’m the boss, and I wash your feet, you should wash each other’s. I’ve laid down a pattern for you, and what I’ve done, you should do as well.

He added: “I think trying to find ways which we can bless and serve the people amongst us, it’s something that Jesus so clearly models to us, and there’s obviously a great opportunity for us to follow his lead.”

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The Wunderlich’s have been battling to home school their children and recently lost their case at the European Court of Human Rights.

Home schooling is illegal in Germany.

Petra and Dirk Wunderlich took legal action after more than 30 police officers and social workers raided their home and forcefully removed their children back in 2013.

They were later returned.

While they are continuing to fight the case, the family have been requested to return to a court in Darmstadt to ensure the children are attending school.

Criticising the continued action facing the family, Robert Clarke, Director of European Advocacy for religious freedom charity ADF International and lead counsel for the Wunderlich family, said: “The Wunderlich family has experienced significant turmoil at the hands of the German authorities.

“In the end, the children were assessed as doing well. It is hard to understand why the German authorities persist in challenging the custody of the children.

“Why would anyone be interested in removing the children from their loving family home after German courts and even the European Court of Human Rights acknowledged that ‘the learning assessment had shown that the knowledge level of the children was not alarming and that the children were not being kept from school against their will.'”

Dirk Wunderlich said: “It is…