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Hidden prospects
The New Mexico church may hold answers for the future
Sep. 30, 2009
St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in the of Santa Fe, N.M., archdiocese
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PDF versionALBUQUERQUE AND LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- New Mexico has about it an austere, out-of-the-way character, long stretches of desert and horizons of abraded, reddish mountains, evocative of the biblical quality of unseen significance. Few might look to New Mexico when conversation turns to the future of the church.
If so, they could be missing something. This land of hidden prospects might hold some answers for the future.
The church here has a history that arches back 400 years through struggle and eventual resolution among the indigenous culture and Spanish missionaries and colonists. This is not the Irish church; it is not the church of immigrants striving to make it in a WASP culture. It has never had the money or other resources to heap up great monuments of granite and marble. It is a humble church, even today, but one rich in examples of hard-earned successes.
Fittingly, the Catholic Center in the Santa Fe archdiocese is a modest structure on a campus that includes a high school.
In Las Cruces, a diocese that sprawls along the state's southern border, the Diocesan Center has the low-slung look of a typical strip mall installation. It would be difficult to gin up a great deal of hubris in such an environment, especially when one wall of the main corridor of the center is lined with the haunting, iconic wood engravings of Fritz Eichenberg, whose work was popularized by Dorothy Day's Catholic Worker newspaper.
A third diocese, Gallup, describes itself as a mission diocese within the multicultural Southwest. It covers areas of northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona.
In many ways, the church in New Mexico stays close to the ground and to the people. It never has had an abundance of “homegrown" priests. Because of the great distances between places (the drive from the eastern to western extremities of the Las Cruces diocese takes about 10 hours by car) Catholics traditionally have had to fend for themselves in a way that those in parishes of the Northeast, for instance, have not.
No great Catholic institutions have arisen here, so Catholicism has had to inject itself in different ways into institutional life. At the University of New Mexico, for instance, Richard Wood founded the Southwest Institute on Religion and Civil Society, to which he brings a background steeped in Catholic social tradition. It is a tradition that is strongly reflected in the institute's programs and research topics.
Dominican Fr. Matthew Strabala"The things that other places worry about are the way things have always been here, and we've survived," said Dominican Fr. Matthew Strabala, director of the Dominican Ecclesial Institute, a collaborative effort among the Dominicans who run the Aquinas Newman Center at the University of New Mexico, the archdiocese and lay participants. "That's not to put everything in the negative. There's something about the style of church here, it's as old as the hills."
Out of that history has come "a balance, a collaboration, between the different dimensions of it — the Spaniard style and the Pueblo spirituality — and life does just move at a different pace here. It's the older style Spanish Catholicism, where it's much more community-based," he said. "It's not as instinctively hierarchical" as in other parts of the country.
It is easy to get the impression that this is one of those places where theology and necessity are meeting to fashion something new, the shape of which is not yet clear.
Dominican Sr. Bernice Garcia is keeping things together at St. Francis Xavier Parish in a poor neighborhood in downtown Albuquerque. Her title is parish administrator, but by any other name (canonical precision notwithstanding) she's the pastor. Ten years ago, a visitor here would not have encountered a woman holding that position. Garcia never dreamed as a little girl growing up in this parish that she would one day be the equivalent of its pastor. Is she now a sign of the future?
Later in the day of my visit with Garcia, I met with Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan. I asked if 10 years from now a visitor might encounter more Sr. Garcias in that pastoral role. His response: "Maybe deacons."
The underlying presumption, of course, is that in 10 years permanent deacons would still be an all-male group.
If deacons figure to be a significant part of the future, the Santa Fe archdiocese has a good jump on it. Sheehan points out with some pride that permanent deacons now outnumber priests, a group that includes a substantial percentage of foreign priests. The breakdown is telling:
- Of 86 active diocesan priests, 14 are foreign.
- Of 91 religious order priests, 17 are foreign.
- Of 220 ordained permanent deacons, 187 are active, 10 more than the number of priests.
A reality today, said Deacon Steve Rangel, director of deacons and of pastoral outreach for the archdiocese, is that while the faith remains constant, the church keeps changing. "The church here adapts and makes whatever modifications and changes are necessary because the centermost part of it is our faith. It is like a leaf going down a stream. There may be boulders and other obstructions, but the leaf will find the path, it follows the flow, it doesn't fight against it."
The sun sets on the Church Rock formation Oct. 31 in western New Mexico. (CNS/Craig Robinson)Several hours to the south, in Las Cruces, some of the adaptations are apparent. The chancellor is Wayne Pribble, who previously owned and operated a psychological and psychiatric clinic in Indianapolis. The vice chancellor is Debbie Moore, who began working for the diocese in 1984, starting as a secretary in the ministries office.
They comprise two members of a chancery staff that is all laypeople and religious sisters. In an interview Bishop Ricardo Ramirez points out that there is no full-time priest at the pastoral center. "The vicar general is not here full-time. Our chancellor is a layman; our vice chancellor is a laywoman. I'm the only one that's full-time, and even I am part-time because I'm out a lot."
Las Cruces is a very poor diocese in a state that in 2007 was ranked 44th in household income. As much as 20 percent of the diocese's funding comes from outside, primarily from the U.S. bishops and the Extension Society. This close to Mexico, immigration issues color everything. Catechists have to be aware in their planning not to ask youngsters to travel to gatherings that will require going through highway immigration checkpoints. Being a member of the church here is a no-questions-asked proposition. Illegals are welcomed. Ramirez says he is proud of the U.S. church as a whole in its efforts to "welcome the stranger."
In conversations, people often acknowledge, without prodding, the pervasive poverty if only so they can talk about how rich they are in other things, those intangibles that arise out of their history and experience.
"Historically, the sense of the church has been borne here by the community," said Strabala. "It's who they are ... Catholicism is really part of the air that's breathed out here."
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Tom Roberts, NCR editor at large, is traveling the country reporting on parish life. His e-mail address is troberts@ncronline.org. Read the full series here: In Search of the Emerging Church.
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Follow Tom Roberts on his journey "In Search of the Emerging Church." Sign up to receive an e-mail alert when his stories are posted to this series. If you already receive e-mail alerts from NCR, click on the button that says "update my profile."
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And I'd bet they don't get
And I'd bet they don't get hung up on rules and regulations . . .
I can certainly understand
I can certainly understand the problems encountered by the Church in Nuevo México. The distances are huge between small populations.
I have felt the hand of "La Migra" in NM. Although an Anglo senior citizen, I was stopped by a roving Border Patrol cruiser near Las Cruces, and quizzed about my citizenship, even after presenting my California birth certificate and driver's license. I didn't know that an American traveling solo would would be suspect, or that the government had the money and manpower to screen us this way.
I appreciate being able to visit Catholic churches and chapels in out-of-the-way places in NM, and salute the people and clergy for their tenacity.
This proves that there is
This proves that there is hope for a church that takes its mission seriously and isn't too concerned about trappings, privilege and power.
Ad multos annos.
I believe that deacons are
I believe that deacons are very important to the church. I would also like to see how women and sisters can be introduced to the changing church in a significant way. I do not have the answers for a woman's role in the changing church.
Take a look at the
Take a look at the glenmary.org site. Priests and women, brothers and laymen all collaborate to keep the Church going in the home missions.
Mr. Roberts correctly writes:
Mr. Roberts correctly writes: "Few might look to New Mexico when conversation turns to the future of the church. If so, they could be missing something. This land of hidden prospects might hold some answers for the future."
and he gives several convincing reasons suppotring his thesis, to which I humbly and temerously ask permission to add a few more.
Over forty years ago, not long before his martyrdom in distant mountains after delivering a talk labelled Monachism and Marxism but quickly changed to other themes and improvised in the face of the cameras, Trappist Father Louis, the ever correct Thomas Merton, saw bright future in our Church near Abiquiu, New Mexico at the humble Monastery of Christ of the Desert, of which I am by the grace of God Oblate. This past forty years gives firm testimony to the promising prophecy of Thomas Merton.
The Roman Catholic Church in New Mexico is grudgingly bilingual, as the most ancient Spanish tolerates humbly and kindly an anglo presence which at times seeks to predominate. Our Bishop in Las Cruces is a leader in speaking for the comunidad Latina in solidarity with those defined now as "illegal" under the white man's law favoring slave wages with no health benefits.
And most important for me who live upon the border, crossing each day to Church in a small dusty quiet town in Mexico (where I am due in one half hour, writing here from a public access internet shop across the central plaza!), New Mexico most opens us to the most distant past, the present and the firmest Future of our One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Americas as New Mexico serves graciously as portal to Mexico, being part of that fertile upper half of Mexico severed by pirates and robber barons not so long ago.
As the anglo American Roman Catholic Church condemns and fatally dismembers itself like the damned writhing and raging in Dante's Inferno, New Mexico therefore, as Mr. Roberts perceptively writes, holds keys to the future of our beloved Church, just as it holds a link to our Church's most distant origin upon these shores, and thus the promise of our most distant and integral and Liberating future.
Frere Charles: I love your
Frere Charles: I love your contributions to these discussions and your clear example of what Christ teaches us. Please keep writing on these blogs!
I love this story which is so
I love this story which is so full of hope for the rest of us. New Mexico is indeed the Land of Enchantment where spirituality permeates the air and the landscape and where the controlling Roman bureaucracy seems irrelevant. Whenever I return from a visit there, I reach for my copy of Willa Cather's novel, "Death Comes for the Archbishop," which clearly illustrates the difference between the eploitive church and the nurturing church. It also beautifully describes the benefits of treating all people with respect. I pray that true faith may continue to flourish there, with the indigenous people contributing so much and with, the heirarchy's views notwithstanding, women sharing equally in the process.
This sounds so much better
This sounds so much better than the hierarchical way of so many dioceses. The people will and can do what it takes when treated as adult Christians. This is how Jesus treated people and they responded accordingly. Yay to New Mexico.
So be prepared for a
So be prepared for a "visitation" from the Vatican to New Mexico! You don't think Pope Benedict is going to let this continue in opposition to his (and his predecessor's) consolidation of power in the Vatican and the throne he sits on, do you?
Eleven years ago, I was a
Eleven years ago, I was a teacher at Thoreau High School, 30 miles east of Gallup. My parish was St. Paul's 'mission" Catholic Church in Crownpoint, the eastern center of the Navajo nation. The church was built to resemble a hogan, the traditional home of the Navajo people and its four windows contained images of the four sacred mountains of the Navajo tradition. Either the epistle or the Gospel was read in Dine, the language of the Navajo. The year I was there, I saw a priest officiate the Sunday liturgy once. Two Sisters of the Precious Blood, one who was an EMT, in collaboration with Navajo laypersons, ran everything. That was an experience of Church that was both ancient and modern; it was beauty born out of necessity and grace.
Hope you like this
Hope you like this article.
Tommy:-)
An excellent introduction to
An excellent introduction to the Catholic spirituality of New Mexico as seen through the
eyes of an "Anglo" from Iowa is "Desert Pilgrim" by Mary Swander. It is a deeply moving
"real life" story about suffering, humility, and the search for healing.
I very much enjoy the
I very much enjoy the continuing reporting by Tom Roberts on these out ot the way locations of our church
This is a truly beautiful
This is a truly beautiful article. One more reason that I continue to value the National Catholic Reporter. It reminds me why I still consider myself a Catholic Christian. This is an example of the People of God trying to be the kind of Church Christ intended. No papal palaces of gold and jewels and rituals that do not remotely mirror Christ's teachings. Well done, Tom Roberts! I salute you for this beautiful picture of these remarkable and compassionate followers of Christ in New Mexico. Thank you.
"In conversations, people
"In conversations, people often acknowledge, without prodding, the pervasive poverty if only so they can talk about how rich they are in other things, those intangibles that arise out of their history and experience."
I remember a number of years ago when the Salvatorians (S.D.S.) went bankrupt in Milwaukee and concluded it was a "saving grace" for their religious community as people had to get out of their comfortable religious houses and find REAL JOBS to EARN money to keep themselves going.
I DOUBLE DARE the members of the USCCB (especialy the more vocal one issue GOP neo-cons) to take off their mitres, rings and pectoral crosses for just one day and go out and see if they can find a real job. They may return to their rectories and episcopal palaces that evening very CHANGED men.
I am a daily reader of
I am a daily reader of NCRonline and usually read the comments as well. I am impressed that this story did not inspire even one negative comment.
Thank you for NCR.
Amazingly enough,both Father
Amazingly enough,both Father Richard Rohr and Father John Dear (and probably many others) found New Mexico many years ago.
I like what Craig B. McKee
I like what Craig B. McKee said. "I double dare the members of the USCCB, to take off their mitres, rings and pectoral crosses for just one day and go out and see if they can find a real job." In fact, I triple dare,them TO JUST IMAGE that they have to go out and find a job; that they don't have any checking account or volunteers at their beckon call AND THE RENT WAS DUE, Not only would they NOT leave their rectories, just thinking of having to go out and find a job that provides them everything THEY NOW HAVE, would, in all probability give them the shakes for a week.
Indeed, a church that is
Indeed, a church that is people-centered, not priest-centered, always has a better chance of living community in ways very similar to those of the first Christians. I love your series; each article gives elements for re-constructing a living Church that can give testimony of Jesús in this globalized world.
Craig: From your lips to
Craig:
From your lips to USCCB members' and God's ears.
Perhaps the dioceses of Las
Perhaps the dioceses of Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Gallup could open "mission churches" for those of us who live outside of New Mexico! Wouldn't that be wonderful.
"I double dare the members of
"I double dare the members of the USCCB, to take off their mitres, rings and pectoral crosses for just one day and go out and see if they can find a real job."
The easy and convenient response to judge and so aptly charge the hierarchy really speaks as much of our own judgement too. Let's look in the mirror...are we all really doing the Lord's work any better than our bishops? Could we better carry out the challenges and burdens our bishops face and encounter on a daily basis?
Does leveling broad and blanket judgements against others make us feel better as Christians?
Thank you for this uplifting
Thank you for this uplifting article of our church, the People of God
To Dan Tracy, the question
To Dan Tracy, the question is, are the bishops doing the Lords work? Are they ,in your opinion, meeting the challenges and burdens they face and encounter on a daily basis? If you really believe they are, I'll be happy to provide you with a list of their failures that we can discuss.
please do.
please do.
Tom, Thank you for all of
Tom, Thank you for all of your articles but your series on NM really touched my heart. I lived and worked among the people in all three dioceses beginning in Gallup in 1962 and ending in Alamogordo in 2001. Although I live and work in my home of origin in the midwest, my heart will always be "moreno" and always long for the spacious blue sky of NM. Thanks for refreshing my memory and reminding me of the fantastic privilege given to me by the people of NM. gregg, ofm
My journey to the Church
My journey to the Church began in New Mexico when I was a young husband and father in the mid-70's. We lived in Gallup and Santa Fe dioceses. New Mexico, and the church there, are unique. They have a peace-giving, timeless quality. Thanks for this article.
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