JAMESTOWN–As a choir warms up in Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Jamestown, the choir’s voices begin to fill the air.

One can hardly help wondering whether this is what Heaven sounds like.

Or looks like.

In this historic sanctuary, images of faith abound.

Along the walls is art depicting the stations of the cross.

Stained-glass windows in honor or in memory of many grace this stunningly, inspiringly beautiful church.

Opposite the altar and above the organ and choir loft is the church’s iconic rose window, visible from inside and from outside the church.

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The Buffalo-based diocese covering Western New York has tough, unenviable decisions to make in addressing issues that Catholics aren’t alone in facing, such as attendance, finances, and clergy-shortages.

Then there are the claims particularly–though not solely–impacting Catholics. For such claims, New York state government legislatively, temporarily extended the expired statute of limitations.

No one can seriously doubt that facts underlying these claims are tragic.

Nor can one seriously doubt the implications of legislatively extending–however temporarily–expired statutes of limitation.

Today’s column leaves for another day issues that take no legal genius to spot:

�–� If government starts legislatively extending expired statutes of limitation, where is the stopping point?

�–� Is legislatively extending–however temporarily–expired statutes of limitation constitutional?

�–� If so, how does the ensuing tragedy of financially harming longstanding institutions balance against the benefit of compensating plaintiffs for long-ago events over which the plaintiffs–for whatever reasons–didn’t timely file claims?

�–� Would New York state government, beset by the political philosophy dominating Albany, have proceeded as it did if it were primarily hurting a faith-based institution other than–other than, mind you–a (1) traditional (2) Christian church that (3) effectively (4) opposes the state on (5) particular (6) hot-button (7) social issues?

Hmmmm.

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Whatever the answers to those questions are, and whatever the implications or consequences of those answers are, the diocese’s decision to close Saints Peter and Paul is wrong.

To parishioner-advocates’ credit, they appear to be conducting themselves as good clients do with good lawyers: They’re keeping calm, carefully assessing the situation, and planning their strategy, which, they emphasize, excludes–excludes–throwing any other parish underneath the proverbial bus. They’re both right and courageous in seeking to save–or rescue, if you prefer–Saints Peter and Paul.

The diocese should vacate–or, if necessary, a higher authority such as the Vatican should reverse–the diocese’s decision and should keep Saints Peter and Paul open.

Reasons aren’t hard to see. Let’s consider just a few.

�–� Among what is central to Western civilization is the Judeo-Christian tradition, of which Catholicism is a foundational and crucial component.

�–� History teaches that communities with houses of worship at their heart are strong communities in many fundamental ways.

�–� Saints Peter and Paul has been at the heart of Catholicism in its community since its inception.

�–� Saints Peter and Paul has been at the heart of its entire community–spiritually and physically–since its inception.

�–� In this region, many people identify strongly with their ethnic heritage. Many traditional churches, including Saints Peter and Paul, are tied to ethnic heritage that is rich, strong, and vibrant.

�–� The Catholic presence–like the presence of other Christians and people of other faiths–in this region is also rich, strong, and vibrant. It’s no disrespect to (1) any other Catholic parish, (2) any non-Catholic parish, or (3) any house of worship of any other faith, to observe that closing Saints Peter and Paul will significantly, tragically, and unnecessarily harm not only the Catholic presence but more broadly the Christian presence, and even more broadly the faith-based presence, in this region.

�–� Are churches more than buildings? You know they are. Nevertheless, this region’s cathedrals–including Saints Peter and Paul–are nothing short of grand. Previous generations faithfully and generously bequeathed such structures to us. They’re not for us to discard. It is our solemn duty to conserve them for future generations. First because they’re our heritage. And second because, in all likelihood, it’s not financially possible to build another such church from scratch in this region anytime soon. Closing Saints Peter and Paul will create a void that the region can’t fill anytime soon.

�–� Parishioner-advocates publicly observe that Saints Peter and Paul is financially sound and can continue financially, and that substantial financial resources benefiting Saints Peter and Paul won’t be available to the diocese if Saints Peter and Paul closes.

�–� Closing it can cost the diocese more than it gains, especially if parishioners and their money flee the Catholic fold. If that happens, the diocese can’t afford to close Saints Peter and Paul.

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This region, and not just Catholics, needs to (continue to) rally around the effort to keep Saints Peter and Paul the rich, strong, and vibrant institution that it is.

Not only for Catholics’ sake in this region, not only for the Catholic church’s sake in this region, but also for all of Christendom’s sake in this region and for the entire region itself.

We should all support the cause.

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Dr. Randy Elf’s family has belonged to local Lutheran churches for more than a century. He urgently commends to all who are affiliated with houses of worship having endowments his column on not devouring seed corn. The column is at https://www.post-journal.com/opinion/local-commentaries/2024/02/organizations-must-conserve-endowments and https://www.observertoday.com/opinion/commentary/2024/02/endowments-are-a-fiscal-engine.

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BY RANDY ELF