Via the Tallahassee Democrat:

In a controversial measure, Congress approved a restoration program last month that would provide $10 million for California’s 21 Spanish missions, 18 of which still hold Catholic worship services – a problem for watchdogs advocating separation of church and state.

The California Missions Preservation Act is awaiting President Bush’s signature, and the state’s congressional delegation expects Bush to sign it.

The funds would be provided over five years to the California Missions Foundation, a non-profit group, only if it raises another $10 million first. The money would refurbish the missions, which are California’s second most popular tourist attraction, after Disneyland.

Lawmakers say the money would shore up institutions valued more for historic, educational and economic reasons than religious ones. While Catholic in origin, the missions are all state landmarks, and seven are national landmarks, officials said. In fact, every 4th-grader in California must know the 21 missions’ role in history.

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“We think that churches ought to pay for their repairs rather than look to the taxpayers to do it,” said Joe Conn, spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “We recognize that these are historic buildings, but you certainly don’t scrap the Constitution to do it.”

The group, which also opposes Bush’s faith-based social services initiative, plans to file a lawsuit if Bush signs the restoration bill, Conn said.

This is preposterous!  In my opinion, this transcends the separation of church and state argument, and our cultural heritage should take precedent.  It’s no secret that I dislike Bush, but I certainly hope he signs the California Missions Preservation Act.

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