Catholic Group Faces Expulsion from Concho After Community Impact

The small village of Concho, Arizona, home to approximately 50 residents, has recently become the center of a controversy involving the local Catholic Church. The Diocese of Gallup, which oversees this region, has ordered the League of the Blessed Sacrament, a lay group of young Catholics, to vacate their parish housing and cease their community activities. This directive comes in the wake of accusations that the group misrepresented themselves and engaged in unauthorized activities.

Community Support Challenges Diocesan Authority

Over the past six months, many residents have voiced their support for the League, claiming that the group has revitalized a community often overlooked and struggling with poverty. The League’s members, including Giovanni Vizcarra, Edward Seeley, Eric Faris, Anthony Ribaya, and Lisa Hezmalhalch, argue that they have acted transparently and adhered to the diocese’s guidelines. They believe their expulsion is linked to the diocese’s concerns over potential liability after they took in three boys from troubled backgrounds, including victims of alleged domestic abuse.

According to Suzanne Hammons, a spokesperson for the diocese, Bishop James S. Wall is committed to ensuring that all allegations are thoroughly investigated to protect the safety of the community. Hammons emphasized that the diocese is not afraid of liability and regularly manages sensitive situations within its parishes.

The League members, who arrived in Concho about four years ago after leaving the Canons Regular of Immaculate Conception in California, have transformed the village by establishing a strong community presence. Initially uneasy with the close-knit nature of Concho, they eventually embraced it, finding solace in the relationships they built with local families.

Impact on the Local Community

Residents have praised the League for its numerous contributions, including distributing food, organizing celebrations for children, and reviving the village’s traditional Christmas fiesta. Angela Murphy, a local historian, noted that the group’s daily prayers brought back the sound of church bells to the village, fostering a renewed sense of spirituality. “It was because of them that we heard church bells in Concho once again,” Murphy said.

Despite being dismissed from their previous religious order, the League members continued their community service while adapting their appearance and titles. They shifted from wearing traditional habits to black outfits bearing their organization’s logo. Their initiatives include establishing a thrift store, a Catholic bookstore, a farmer’s market, and a coffee shop, all funded through their salaries and donations.

While working at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in nearby Show Low, they taught various subjects, including religion and music, and also provided catechism training. Many parents reported significant positive changes in their children, with some expressing an increased desire to engage in religious rites such as baptism and confirmation.

The group has also taken on parental roles for several boys, providing them with stability and support. One mother, Katherine Therese Heal, expressed gratitude for the positive influence the League has had on her son, who has shown remarkable improvement in his well-being and academic aspirations. Heal stated, “What the brothers have done with him is miraculous. They have been the answer to my prayers.”

Despite their successes, the group’s removal has left the community questioning the diocese’s motivations. Many residents feel unheard and unvalued, voicing concerns that their small community is overlooked. Hope MacMonagle, a Concho native, expressed that the League has done more for their Catholic community in three years than the diocese has accomplished in decades.

As tensions rise, residents continue to seek answers from the diocese regarding the abrupt decision to expel the League. Hammons stated that specific details surrounding the decision are not appropriate for public discussion. Following their removal, the League has relocated to Vernon, about 25 miles south of Concho, where they have initiated a K-12 Catholic school and are moving their community projects while maintaining a presence in Concho.

The members of the League remain committed to their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with aspirations still intact despite the challenges they face. They express a desire to continue serving and contributing positively to the communities they inhabit, regardless of their status with the diocese.

As the situation evolves, the residents of Concho are left grappling with the loss of a group that many believe has brought hope and healing to their community.