Notre-Dame will be rebuilt after fire

Re A hole in the heart of Paris, April 16

It’s been a few days since the great Notre Dame fire, and the initial shock is turning into something else. The destruction of something so precious causes that familiar sting we may have experienced when we first saw the New York City skyline without the World Trade Center. But the lasting feeling will be different this time.

There’s no evidence this was an act of terrorism or malice. Perhaps it was human error, something we are prone to as a clumsy species. But we are also prone to forgiveness, compassion and perseverance.

Many generations ago, the building was created to do one thing: help bring us all together. Thanks to the best of humanity, Notre Dame will be rebuilt. It will be stronger than before, and so will we.

Michael Flynn, Cobourg, Ont.

I too watched in dismay as Notre Dame burned and was amazed at how monies immediately began pouring in for its restoration — nearly a billion dollars within hours. Yet part of me was also dismayed that money does not pour into saving the lives of the poorest millions in our world who are sick and dying from deadly epidemics like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

It was made starkly clear to me that ending poverty is definitely not a matter of money, but an issue of political will. The Canadian government is being urged to make a bold pledge of $1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the best weapon against disease ever seen in the world, signalling that Canada acts on its values.

Why doesn’t human life equate to treasures built of stone?

Anita Mark, Saanichton, B.C.