Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State
On March 9, 2004 Americans United for Separation of Church and State reported, "Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged a Senate panel to reject a plan to allocate $10 million in federal funds for mission churches in California. Today's hearing focused on the California Missions Preservation Act (S. 1306), a measure that would earmark public funds for the repair and upkeep of 21 Roman Catholic mission churches and their associated religious artworks and artifacts. In testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said federal aid to religion violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Houses of worship, he said, must be supported by voluntary giving, not government subsidies. Nineteen of the 21 churches are still owned by the Catholic Church and provide mass and other religious services for active parishes."