by Laurence D. Behr, Esq.
I wish to answer critics of our proposal to build a globally important Marian shrine on Buffalo’s waterfront, which would incidentally convey the Catholic Church’s clear teaching regarding the sanctity of human life.
No public land or funds will go toward this project. If NFTA property is used, it would be sold or leased to us. Funding will come from private donations, bringing millions of “outside” dollars into our local economy and creating many construction-related jobs.
Some ask whether such a prominent Catholic shrine should “represent” Buffalo, which is only around 60% Catholic, to the world. However, the Basilica of St. Joseph dominates the city of Montreal atop Mount Royal, and many great European cities are famous mainly for their cathedrals. All the residents of such diverse metropolises appreciate both the beauty, and the ability to attract tourists from around the world, that grand religious buildings give their city and region.
Before the Mosque of Rome, Europe's largest, opened in 1995, some expressed comparably narrow concerns about its propriety in Catholicism’s center, arguing that it would be disruptive, with loudspeakers blaring prayer calls five times a day, and masses clogging the streets for Friday prayers. Those fears proved false, nor will the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Holy Innocents Shrine bring anything but good to Buffalo. Our religious enterprise will never cause public gatherings other than prayerful processions, such as occur at holy shrines everywhere. This Project is about seeking the peace of holiness, purity of spirit, and the love of God. “God is not a God of disorder, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The true question for Buffalo is, will she enshrine herself as an unsophisticated, backwater town that lacks sufficient tolerance, and is too small-minded to accept the great benefit of a global tourism magnet, simply because it is Catholic? Would not this be at least one step up from chicken wings and blizzards, for the country’s image of Buffalo?
Over 4,000,000 visit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis annually, bringing in 1999 an estimated 2.32 billion dollars into that region. We believe that that many pilgrims and tourists, of all backgrounds and from all over the world, will come here as well. Visits would decline in winter, but 80% of visits to the Gateway Arch occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, fair weather also in Buffalo. Nor is our proposed Arch a “rip-off” of the Gateway Arch. Old-style triumphal arches, invented by the Romans, abound in cities around the world. There is ample room for another great, modern-era triumphal arch in America, and we do not owe it to any city to take a back seat.
The people of our once great, and still greathearted city have an almost crying desire for something wonderful that will restore our spirits and revive our economy. A signature Peace Bridge would be wonderful, but how many would travel far to see it, or park the car if they do? When it can be viewed from the 700-foot-high observation platform of the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it will be a sight worth traveling for. The Arch of Triumph alone will bring millions of people, but the two structures together will give immeasurable allure to our fair city. The Gateway Arch saved St. Louis from decline; we propose to do that also for our city, with God’s help.
Some have made sarcastic remarks about our artist’s renderings, reminiscent of the attacks against the Eiffel Tower. Many more people love them, but the important thing is that the actual designs will be by distinguished architects, and may look quite different from our renderings. Even after the Eiffel Tower was built some wanted it torn down, calling it an “ugly monstrosity.” It remains today a world attraction and elegantly represents Paris, along with Notre Dame Cathedral. Likewise, the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be dazzlingly beautiful, a true crown for the Queen City, admired by all.
We are even taunted with the threat that Buffalo will be made fun of by late-night comedians. However, we greatly doubt that Conan, Leno and Letterman would be so lacking in judgment as to ridicule a Catholic shrine honoring Our Lady, even if some local opponents are. If they do make jokes, Buffalo has broad shoulders, and has withstood worse.
Some say, “Surely Mary would not want such a grand monument built in her honor.” We have not heard, however, that Mary has ever objected to the many great shrines, cathedrals and basilicas dedicated to her already. Catholics believe that at Fatima, Portugal in 1917, Mary told Sister Lucia, “Our Lord wishes to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart in the world.” We seek only to promote this devotion, and devotion to God generally.
Finally, some critics charge that “the money” should be spent on the poor, or on almost anything but a shrine. However, we do not have “the money,” and those individuals who will donate it will continue to be generous toward other worthy causes. When the Shrine is operational and, we hope, generating excess revenues, money will come from it to the needy in our community, as promised in our Prospectus (read at www.ArchofTriumph.org).
World religions build great shrines because they cause an increase of faith in God. Only love for God produces true charity; the utter failure of atheistic communism is God’s proof to the world of this. That is why Jesus rebuked Judas, when he protested that the costly oil with which Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus’ feet, “could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” There exists plenty of extra money for the needs of the poor and the sick; it is only people's lack of faith, and their resulting self-centeredness, that hampers generosity.
We urge all of Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier not to be shortsighted, but to help and not hinder this great undertaking.
(Reprinted from The Buffalo News, July 20, 2001.)
