NOTRE DAME: Roles of the religious

This letter is for Gwynneth Andrus regarding her comment on my earlier opinion about the rebuilding of Notre Dame.

Gwynneth, your letter and the tone of it tells me you are a lady with class. Your letter was laced with disagreement and agreement; but the best part of your letter was what was not in it … personal attacks and name calling. So very refreshing. I liked your quote from Thomas Aquinas; it helped me see things from a different view and understanding.

Gwynneth, sometimes 250 words are not enough to be understood, I hope the following will help you understand why I feel the way I do, yet you have reminded me, we are not just a single note.

While in the ministry back in the ’80s, time and time again I saw people of faith do things under the guise of charity and glorifying God. Donating money with strings attached, arguing over what wallpaper to put in the bathrooms, beautifying the sanctuary and purchasing fancy sound equipment while cutting the budget in the Christian education and youth programs. So, I hope if they do rebuild Notre Dame, they actually approach it prayerfully and ask themselves, “What is my motive?”

Thank you Gwynneth. God Bless.

JERRY MARTIN

Post Falls