Though a lawsuit filed by an activist group against the
California Missions Preservation Act was dropped recently, 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 recently, 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 missions, 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 gives money to refurbish the missions, many of which are owned by the Catholic Church.
The threat, however, is not deterring Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, from continuing to work on the bill and seek funding to restore these treasured historic monuments – including Mission San Juan Bautista.
The beautiful mission 35 minutes south of Morgan Hill is not only of great historic importance, but is a significant economic engine for the quaint mission city.
Now that the lawsuit has fizzled, Farr 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. “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 hands-on teaching site for California kids.
In California, there are few institutions that have had a greater historic role or cultural impact than the Spanish missions.
It’s clear they serve much more than a religious role.
And the funding bill has nothing to do with the religious activities in the mission but focuses on repairing the historical sites.
Mission San Juan Bautista is one of the biggest tourist draws around for our area. Every year, thousands of fourth-graders come to the mission to learn about this essential piece of California history.
Ensuring the 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.
