Mr. Thiessen tries to link Notre Dame’s fire and the declining number of European Catholic faithful as key indicators of Western spiritual decay and an embrace of modern secularism (“Restore Notre Dame’s purpose,” April 25). Apparently the number of active priests and Sunday Masses, and spurious statistics about “church attendance” are absolute metrics to gauge human civility and enlightenment.

The article sadly ignores the state of affairs we see around us. It disregards the acceptance and embrace of lies, greed and unbridled power (think executive privilege) within certain Christian quarters based on political expedience. The real fire in our midst is harmful rhetoric and hateful actions denigrating the dignity and worth of the “other” - whether gay, immigrant, minority, or different political view.

Being reminded we are all created in God’s image and the human heart is made to love God is good. However, helping people move closer to the Almighty is best done through actions not words: live humbly, feed the poor, heal the sick, educate the ignorant, act justly and compassionately. These things, not church head counts or number of Sunday Masses, will inspire the needed change that Mr. Thiessen’s article failed to address.

Chuck Gruenefelder

Spokane