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Catholic World News

New Mexico diocese files suit to prevent confiscation of land for border wall

May 09, 2026

» Continue to this story on Bloomberg

CWN Editor's Note: The Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is opposing the Trump administration’s efforts to confiscate some of its land for border wall construction.

“The Diocesan property that the Government seeks to condemn is located at the base of Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico,” said attorneys representing the diocese. “Atop the mountain sits a 29-foot-tall limestone statue of Jesus Christ that serves as a shrine to thousands of faithful in the El Paso and Southern New Mexico area.”

“The mountaintop shrine is the site of annual pilgrimages,” the attorneys continued. “On the feast day of Christ the King each fall, as many as 40,000 faithful climb Mount Cristo Rey” for a Mass. “Some of the faithful make the five-mile journey barefooted, while fewer make the ascent on their knees.”

The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.

 


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