Pastor’s Desk ~ May 25, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

I don’t often comment on civil matters, if only because they tend to be converted into political issues, into which I will not knowingly dip even one pinky toe. However, there is a current legal story closely connected to Church autonomy and the free exercise of religion.

The village of Toms River, New Jersey, announced plans to condemn and raze an active Episcopal parish, which was founded in1865. This “village” – a Jersey Shore municipality of about 100,000 and the 8th largest in the state – intends to seize the 11-acre church property by eminent domain to put in a city park and several pickleball courts. The plan was announced shortly after the church requested approval to establish a 17-bed homeless shelter. The mayor claims that the timing is purely coincidental, and that the city has too little parkland – despite the fact that the church property is adjacent to a large (though private) country club. In addition, the church grounds contain a memorial garden which is the final resting place for a number of their past parishioners. (If this seizure is allowed, this “resting place” will not be so final after all.) To their credit, the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey has indicated that it will contest the seizure, and I suspect many other parties will join the action with amici curiae briefs. The church property is reportedly worth $4 million, which will surely be less than the legal fees to settle this, a victory for the lawyers of both parties.

Somehow, I can’t believe this is even being considered as a possibility. It calls to mind Stalin’s dynamiting of the beautiful Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow – “the St. Peter’s of the Russian Orthodox Church” – to be replaced by a gaudy monument to the Soviet regime, which was never built. Eventually, the cathedral became a large swimming pool.

It reminds me of Dostoevsky’s famous words, “If there is no God, everything is permitted.”

Also, the Supreme Court just announced that they will leave in place a lower court ruling that state funds may not be used for religious charter schools. It was a 4-4 decision, with Justice Barrett recusing herself. My immediate reaction was disappointment, but I will withhold further comment until I’ve read the entire opinion. This may not be all bad, as government money is rarely without strings, which Catholic schools may find difficult to accommodate without compromising their mission.

We are at the time of year for graduations, departures, and new beginnings. A large group of our young parishioners will be receiving the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation, which prepares them to take on the challenges of life as fully-initiated Catholics. Some will be graduating from colleges and universities, others from high school. Still others will graduate from elementary or middle school, and I understand that in some places there are even graduation ceremonies for Kindergartners.

Finally, this weekend we observe Memorial Day, to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. At a time when we celebrate the bright futures of our graduates, we would do well to remember the service of so many whose lives were over almost before they began, as well as their loved ones who never saw them again. There is no way to find even a modicum of peace with this outside of a belief in eternal life, in the presence of a saving God who wipes the tears from our faces.

Blessings,
Fr Bill Donahue