In Mescalero, New Mexico, Anne Marie Brillante and others from the Mescalero Apache tribe faced a difficult decision when their priest removed the revered 8-foot Apache Christ painting and other sacred Indigenous symbols from the St. Joseph Apache Mission church. The painting, created by Franciscan friar Robert Lentz in 1989, had been a symbol of the blending of their culture and faith for 35 years. The removal of the icon by the former priest Peter Chudy Sixtus Simeon-Aguinam caused shock and distress among the parishioners, leading to accusations of spiritual abuse.
The Diocese of Las Cruces, overseeing the mission, did not initially respond to inquiries regarding the removal of the icons and other items. Following media coverage and community outrage, the diocese returned the objects and appointed a new priest. However, for Brillante and others, this act was not enough to heal the harm caused by the removal of their sacred symbols and the feeling of disrespect towards their Indigenous culture.
The incident with the Apache Christ painting reflects a broader issue highlighted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a pastoral framework for Indigenous ministry. Many Indigenous Catholics often feel pressured to choose between their Indigenous identity and their Catholic faith, a dilemma that the bishops aim to address by affirming that one can embrace both aspects of their heritage without conflict.
Despite this reassurance, the Mescalero community demands a public apology from Bishop Peter Baldacchino to begin the process of reconciliation and healing. The Apache Christ painting, portraying Christ as a Mescalero holy man, holds deep significance for the community, symbolizing their unique connection to their faith and heritage. Members of the tribe emphasize the importance of acknowledging the harm caused and ensuring that such disrespect towards their culture does not happen again.
The clash over the sacred symbols at St. Joseph Apache Mission highlights the ongoing struggle for cultural recognition and acceptance within the Catholic Church. The concept of “inculturation,” allowing people to express their faith through their culture, has been encouraged by the Church, yet instances like the removal of the Apache Christ painting reveal underlying tensions and challenges in embracing Indigenous spirituality within Catholicism.
