Catholic Church Controversy: St. Joseph Apache Mission Stolen Sacred Relics Allegedly Stolen by Church Leadership

The St. Joseph Apache Mission claims that as the heart of the Sacramento Mountains where it stands it is a tribute to the faith, patriotism and courage of the people of southern New Mexico.

This inspiring Romanesque church was built to serve the people of the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

On February 1, 2005 St. Joseph Apache Mission church was officially entered in the National Register of Historic Places due to the significance of the artistic rendering of an Apache Jesus and the architectural design of the structure. The art within of which is considered sacred to attendees is the subject of outcry and controversy by its members. 

The icon of the Apache Christ featured at St. Joseph Apache Mission church was an effort to heal wounds Christian missionaries have inflicted on native people in the past. In 1870, President Grant inaugurated his “Peace Policy” for Native American tribes. Because the Indian Service had become so corrupt in handling reservation affairs, the government would now turn every reservation over to a specific Christian sect. Missionaries from these sects would not only govern the reservations, but “civilize” the Native Americans as well.

To be “civilized,” in the eyes of the government, was to be Christian. Conversion by force became part of United States policy. Native religions had no validity in the eyes of the government, and native religious leaders could be jailed for refusing to cooperate. Native peoples had no choice about which sect the government imposed on them, and many missionaries nearly destroyed native cultures by outlawing ceremonial dancing and other traditional forms of religious expression.

The Native Apache Christ painting was an inspirational effort to heal historical wounds and to create an image of Christian faith as all encompassing to all people.

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In 1992 this icon was displayed in the Smithsonian museum as an example of art reflecting indigenous spirituality. The artist, Robert Lentz, OFM is a master at his craft, and he researches his subjects intensely before painting them. In this case, he sat at the feet of an Apache elder who instructed him in the spiritual ways of his people

This weekend attendee Mary N Serna announced via a social media post and confirmed by attendees that the infamous Apache Jesus artwork and another famous painting have been removed from the church by church leadership. 

Mary N Serena; “My heart is heavy because of the actions of the Diocese of Las Cruces administration including the Bishop, the Alamogordo Knights of Columbus, and the current priest that is at St. St-Joseph Apache MIssion in Mescalero. Collectively they decided to come during the night into our church and steal two of our treasured pieces of art, claiming that the diocese owns everything on the grounds.

For over 100 years of Franciscan leardership and encouragement we were encourged to believe that we are all created in the image of God, this does not seem to be the teaching of the current administration. Fr. Chudy has called us pagans and stated several times that the building is a church and not a museum. I guess he doesn't realize that it was built for the Apache people "to light their lives forever" and as a veterans memorial.”

Gabrielle Brillante said via a social media post that : “Priest Steals Icon of Apache Christ!

I was raised attending the St. Joseph Apache Mission Church on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Many of you, like myself, recognize and hold a deep devotion for the emblematic image of Christ as an Apache Medicine Man. It is more than a painting; it is an offering of love, and inclusivity. It is a symbol of historical reconciliation and representation between the Apache Nation and the Catholic Church.

Unfortunately, the image is now missing. It was still hanging in its place yesterday afternoon, and witnesses say they did not see any cars there in the early evening. However, it was not there this morning. The parish priest, Fr. Chudy, who has stated that he is home sick at the moment and cannot be contacted, stated that he did not know anything about the missing image

However, when we reported the crime to the Diocese of Las Cruces, we were informed that Fr. Chudy was named responsible for its removal.

This was done without the consent of the members of the parish or the people of the tribe. It was done in secret, taken at night, as many of our community have been recovering from the recent wildfire evacuations. The missing icon has greatly exacerbated the difficulties we have faced as a community during the last nine days that we have been displaced. Additionally, this event highlights the enduring impact of colonial oppression on our community.”

Kyle Hayden said; “Robert Lentz, OFM, the creator of the Apache Christ icon wrote me this, following a discussion about it this morning.

“In 1990, when I drove down to Mescalero to discuss painting an image of Christ as an Apache with Larry Goselin, there were a few Apache artifacts in the sanctuary, like baskets, and the chandeliers in the nave were patterned after the headdresses of the Apache Mountain Spirit dancers. The first reaction of the medicine men and women that Larry gathered to discuss the project with me was negative--that the two cultures should not be mixed. By the end of our conversations, all were in favor of the project and had given me helpful suggestions for the image. When the image was blessed, Larry invited the medicine men and women to bless it after the Gospel at Mass, he didn't presume to bless it himself. This was 34 years ago last January. In these last 34 years, the people have begun to develop their own theology, inspired by the icon. The icon has become their own, not something brought by a tall skinny white man they have forgotten. And, BTW, I gave it to the people, not to the diocese or even the Santa Barbara Province.”

The Diocese has refused to provide any information regarding the whereabouts of the image when contacted by AlamogordoTownNews.com. We along with our partner station and radio newscast on KALHRadio.org with Anthony Lucero will follow up on Monday. 

Many members of the and church are outraged and have asked the public raise awareness on this act of injustice and disregard to the Mescalero Apache Nation. 

Members are asking for the public’s support to voice your concern to the Diocese of Las Cruces at (575) 523-7577 or Bishop Peter Baldacchino at (575) 222-4252 to inquire about the missing images and to ask about any new information they may have to share. Also create a trail and recap your conversation in an email to the diocese at Officeofthebishop@rcdlc.org

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