Civil hearings deserve civil procedures

Whether approved or disapproved, the plan to expand Holy Cross church and school has clearly created acrimony in the parish.

At the last hearing, some supporters of the plan took the unfortunate step of publicly launching personal attacks against fellow parishioners who have had the temerity to disagree with them.

Those who oppose the plan heard themselves branded as hypocrites and were accused of making "hollow and dead arguments" and being shameful.

The hypocrisy in citing the Bible to denounce opponents who have never made a virtuous argument for their position as hypocrites was apparently lost on the parishioner who chose to make the charge.

While the application has certainly been contentious, to this point the public discussion had remained civil.

Those who chose to take the case beyond the bounds of the borough’s laws might want to consider their opponents’ position. Or, to put the matter in biblical terms, they might want to check the logs in their own eyes.

Within the context of issues before the board, there does not seem to be any hypocrisy or shame in giving consideration to the larger Rumson community in matters that could significantly affect it.

Going beyond the issues before the board, it seems appropriate for parishioners to ask why, in the face of a need for additional space, a sizable church facility was sold not long ago.

Or about how the growth of their church will affect the stability of other parishes, such as those in Atlantic Highlands.

It’s quite possible that there are parishioners there who will not be able to make the trip into Rumson if it is the only church available.

There’s nothing shameful or hypocritical in considering others before taking action.

The same cannot be said for launching ad hominem attacks.