Though a lawsuit filed by an activist group against the
California Missions Preservation Act was dropped last week, it
unfortunately appears that government funding to repair and
refurbish the state’s 21 historic missions could continue to be
challenged in the name of the separation of church and state.
Though a lawsuit filed by an activist group against the California Missions Preservation Act was dropped last week, it unfortunately appears that government funding to repair and refurbish the state’s 21 historic missions could continue to be challenged in the name of the separation of church and state.
The lawsuit, filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, took issue with the proposed federal funding of California mission repairs, but was later dropped because no money had been appropriated by the bill. Still, the leaders of the group vowed another court challenge if the government ever does try to give money to refurbish the missions, many of which are owned by the Catholic Church.
We’re glad that threat is not deterring Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, from continuing to work on the bill and seek funding to restore these treasured monuments – including Mission San Juan Bautista – of undoubted historic and economic significance. Now the lawsuit is gone, he is hoping to find at least $10 million in federal funds over the next five years to help restore the missions.
“San Juan Bautista is a gem among California’s missions, where our children and other visitors can literally learn history by walking through the building and its grounds,” Farr wrote in an e-mail to reporter Brett Rowland. “But time, natural deterioration and neglect have taken a heavy toll on these historical treasures. With the withdrawal of American United’s lawsuit, I will be working to bring funding authorized by my California Missions Preservation Act of 2004 to our missions.”
We see no reason not to fund repairs to the missions; their historic significance clearly equals their role as churches. Mission San Juan is a landmark, an important piece of California history, that happens to be a church. It’s open to the public for tours. It’s a teaching site for California kids. And it’s a important economic engine for the city of San Juan Bautista.
In California, there are few institutions that have had a greater historic role or cultural impact than the Spanish missions. It’s clear they serves much more than a religious role. And, the funding bill has nothing to do with the religious activities in the mission, but focused on repairing the historical sites.
There is no doubt that Mission San Juan Bautista is one of the biggest tourist draws around for our county. Every year, thousands of fourth graders come to the mission to learn about this essential piece of California history. Ensuring our mission continues to draw tourists should be a top priority, and getting funding to secure the long-term health of the mission will do that.
