A civil action filed at the request of the Department of Homeland Security, seeks to use eminent domain in an attempt to seize land from the Diocese of Las Cruces in order to facilitate the construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
The land is located northwest of El Paso, Texas, and runs along the base of Mount Cristo Rey. At the top of the mountain is a 29-foot-tall statue of Christ, marking a shrine the diocese said is the “site of annual pilgrimages” that draw thousands to the mountain.
The Diocese of Las Cruces stated in a court filing on May 8, that the land seizure would “substantially burden” the religious freedom of both the diocese and “the other faithful who seek to commune with God on diocesan property.” The diocese had earlier told the government that the land seizure would “constitute a significant infringement on religious freedom and the rights of worship” given the religious significance of the site.
Government officials have said the land they want to take is not close to the Mount Cristo Rey shrine, and will not affect access to or activities at the 29-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ. In addition the Diocese would be given a “just compensation” estimated at $183,000.
More information can be found at EWTN News and at KTSM, a local El Paso news station.