The rise and fall of Catholicland
Editor’s note:
The following appeared in the March 18 issue of The Catholic Northwest Progress, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Seattle. It was written by Stephen M. Kent, executive editor.The mind boggles at the prospect suggesting that Florida would soon have yet another theme park, such as Disney World. Would it be complete with faux churches and appropriately costumed characters?
Recent reports from The Associated Press included a map accompanying the story with an arrow pointing to the southern part of the state locating "Catholic Town Considered."
The AP quoted Thomas Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza and a developer of the town, as saying the municipality would be "governed according to strict Roman Catholic principles, with no place to get an abortion, pornography or birth control."
Monaghan is involved in developing a town of some 25,000 residents adjacent to the new Ave Maria University, now under construction near Naples, Fla. Monaghan’s partner in development said retailers would be asked not to sell adult magazines and contraceptives in stores in the town. But they would not be forbidden to do so.
The ACLU and Catholics for a Free Choice immediately harrumphed about free speech, separation of church and state, and the like.
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, a bit calmer, saw nothing that violated state law. "The community has a right to provide a wholesome environment," he said.
It’s not discrimination in any fashion. There must be many atheists who don’t want their children reading smut.
Two days later, well before young voices could plead, "Mom and Dad, I wanna go to Catholicland," the story lost its legs. So what was the flap about? It was not about exclusivity.
There are many exclusive residential developments in the United States. Some require a minimum age for residents (whose grandchildren may not stay overnight). Others require a minimum price for any house built. Still others dictate the architecture of residences, including the style of the exterior hardware. Exclusive, gated communities are not uncommon in these United States.
The ACLU, however, does not rush to protect the civil liberties of a person required to adorn his front door with a handle of solid brass rather than brushed chrome.
Key to understanding this situation is the fact that umbrage was taken not only by the ACLU, but also by Catholics for a Free Choice. Their objection came from perceiving exclusivity to be based on religion rather than on taste, decency or a desire that the neighbors’ waste cans be removed from the sidewalk before sunset. Exclusivity done in the name of urban planning is fine. However, when it’s done with even a suspicion of religious overtones it raises hackles.
Another factor is Monaghan himself. The pizza magnate has both money and principles, and the former can get the latter heard.
Paul Marinelli, CEO of the partner developer, offered further clarification: "We’re truly just trying to create a town with traditional values," he said. "This is not going to be strictly a Catholic town. I think it would be boring if, in fact, it was all Catholic." Boring? Has this man ever been to a parish council meeting?
The two will be built, and citizens will live happily ever after under all constitutional protections.
What was accomplished by the quick rise and fall of "Catholicland"?
Nothing, really, although the public heard once again the disparagement of faith and religion as silly.
So now the ACLU can return to ferreting out public displays of the Ten Commandments, and the falsely named Catholics for a Free Choice can go back to doing whatever it does.