Sunland Park, NM (KKOB) – Catholic leaders in southern New Mexico and El Paso, TX, are organizing a pilgrimage to Mount Cristo Rey next to Sunland Park to protest the legal battle over the federal government proposed to take over the land around the shrine for more construction of the border wall.
The bishops of Las Cruces and El Paso are inviting people to climb the mountain on Sunday June 28, where a mass will be held at the summit. The event comes as the Diocese of Las Cruces challenges a federal effort to seize more than 14 acres of church land for border wall construction. Church officials argue the move could impact religious practices at the site. The federal government says the project is tied to national security. A court hearing on the issue is scheduled for July.
