JAMESTOWN — As a choir warms up at St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Jamestown, the sounds of the choir begin to fill the air.

One cannot help but wonder if this is the voice of Heaven.

Or looks like.

Images of faith abound in this historical shelter.

Along the walls are paintings depicting the stations of the cross.

Stained glass windows in honor of this astonishing, inspiringly beautiful church or in memory of its many blessings.

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

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The Buffalo-based diocese, which covers Western New York, has to make difficult and unenviable decisions in solving problems facing Catholics such as attendance, finances and clergy shortages.

There are also allegations that affect Catholics specifically, but not exclusively. The New York state government has temporarily extended the statutorily expired statute of limitations for such claims.

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

Moreover, the consequences of a legal extension, even temporary, of expired limitation periods cannot be seriously doubted.

Today’s column leaves issues that no legal genius would notice for another day:

— If the government starts extending the legally expired statute of limitations, where is the stopping point?

— Is it constitutional to legally extend expired statutes of limitations, even if temporarily?

— If so, how does the tragedy of financially damaging long-standing institutions be balanced with the benefit of compensating plaintiffs for long-ago events for which plaintiffs—for whatever reason—did not file suit in a timely manner?

— Could the New York state government, besieged by the political philosophy that dominates Albany, proceed as it did if it were primarily undermining a faith-based institution other than (1) the traditional (2) Christian church? (3) effectively opposes the state on (4) (5) certain (6) important (7) social issues?

Hmmmm.

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

To the community advocates’ credit, they appear to be behaving the way good clients do good lawyers: They remain calm, carefully assess the situation, and plan their strategy, which, they emphasize, excludes—excludes—other congregations. under the proverbial bus. They are both right and brave in saving or saving, if you will, Saints Peter and Paul.

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

It’s not hard to see why. Let’s consider just a few.

— There is also the Judeo-Christian tradition that is central to Western civilization; Catholicism is also a fundamental and important component of it.

— History teaches that communities with places of worship at their center are strong communities in many fundamental respects.

— Saints Peter and Paul have been at the heart of Catholicism in its community since its inception.

— St. Peter and Paul has been at the heart of the entire community, both spiritually and physically, since its founding.

— Many people in this region identify strongly with their ethnic heritage. Many traditional churches, including St. Peter and Paul’s, are tied to a rich, strong and vibrant ethnic heritage.

— The Catholic presence in this region is rich, strong and vibrant, as is the presence of other Christians and people of other faiths. It is no disrespect to (1) any Catholic congregation, (2) any non-Catholic congregation, or (3) any place of worship of any other faith to observe that the closure of St. Peter and Paul would cause significant, tragic, and needless harm. Not only the Catholic presence in this region, but also the Christian presence in a broader sense and the faith-based presence in an even broader sense.

— Are churches more important than buildings? You know they are. Still, the cathedrals of this region (including St. Peter’s and Paul’s) are quite magnificent. Previous generations have faithfully and generously bequeathed these structures to us. These are not for us to throw away. It is our primary duty to pass these on to future generations. First of all, because they are our heritage. Secondly, because it will not be financially possible to build such a church from scratch in this region in the near future. Closing St. Peter and Paul will create a void that the district will not be able to fill anytime soon.

— Parish advocates publicly observe that St. Peter and Paul is financially sound and can continue financially, and that significant financial resources that benefit St. Peter and Paul would be unavailable to the diocese if St. Peter and Paul were to close.

— Closing it down could cost the diocese more than it earns, especially if parishioners and their money flee the Catholic denomination. In such a case, the diocese cannot afford to close St. Peter and Paul.

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This region, not just Catholics, needs to (continue to) rally around the effort to keep St. Peter and Paul as a rich, strong, and vibrant institution.

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

We must all support the cause.

Dr. Randy Elf’s family has belonged to local Lutheran churches for more than a century. He immediately praises his column about not eating seed corn to everyone associated with places of worship that own endowments. The column is here and

(c) BY RANDY ELF 2024