St. Michael’s Donations
Dear Editor: I wanted to weigh in on the sharp debate surrounding the narrow rejection of a $5,000 donation for the repairs to St. Michael’s Cathedral by the Sitka Assembly.
I personally support the separation of church and state, but I think exceptions can be made. Some Separatists can make the argument that exceptions should never be made. There is another argument called the Neutralist position which says that exceptions can be made. If the structure has a significant historical and cultural significance. I direct your attention to an article published by Georgetown University Law Center titled ‘‘Federal Funding for the Preservation of Religious Historic Places: Old North Church and the New Establishment Clause.’’
This paper speaks to the example of the Old North Church in Boston which played a major role in the American Revolution when lanterns were hung alerting Paul Revere that the British were coming. The Old North Church was falling into disrepair and it too still had an active congregation. The National Park Service announced a $317,000 grant under Save America’s Treasure’s program, and this too had strong opposition but was allowed by the Supreme Court not to promote a religion. None of the grant money would be allowed for that, but to preserve its history and cultural significance for all.
Sitka is a historic designation. St. Michael’s Cathedral is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Sitka, Alaska. Who from Sitka would argue that St. Michael’s Cathedral isn’t a substantial representation of Russian history and culture?
Dale S. Williams, Sitka
