Catholic group brings controversy and revitalization to Concho, Arizona

CONCHO, Ariz. (AP) — Nestled in the Arizona high desert, Concho is a small village with a population of about 50. This quiet community, located roughly 200 miles northeast of Phoenix, offers a single restaurant, a Dollar General, and a gas station that closes its doors by 7 p.m. However, this unassuming hamlet has recently become embroiled in a significant controversy involving the Catholic Church.

Over recent months, Concho’s residents have rallied around a group known as the League of the Blessed Sacrament. This lay organization of young Catholics has been credited with rejuvenating this overlooked and impoverished region.

Conversely, the New Mexico-based Diocese of Gallup, which holds jurisdiction over the area, claims that the group falsely presented themselves as a religious order and participated in unsanctioned activities. Bishop James S. Wall has demanded the group vacate parish housing and cease leading liturgies and teaching at the local Catholic school.

Members of the League — Giovanni Vizcarra, Edward Seeley, Eric Faris, Anthony Ribaya, and Lisa Hezmalhalch — maintain they have acted truthfully and complied with the diocese’s directives. They suspect the diocese’s decision was influenced by concerns over liability, as the group had taken three boys, reportedly victims of domestic abuse, under their care.

Diocese spokesperson Suzanne Hammons countered these claims, stating that the diocese is “not afraid of liability” and is accustomed to managing sensitive situations. She emphasized the necessity of conducting thorough investigations through official channels to ensure safety.

Origins of the League’s Involvement in Concho

Four years ago, the men relocated to Concho from the Canons Regular of Immaculate Conception in Santa Paula, California. This move followed accusations of misconduct against their superior, which were later dismissed by the order’s leaders in Rome due to a lack of evidence.

Vizcarra recounted how a supportive priest facilitated their journey to Arizona to contemplate their future. The transition from bustling Los Angeles to the intimate Concho community was initially challenging.

“People would ask you what your favorite color is or what your favorite cake is,” Vizcarra shared. The community referred to him affectionately as “mijo,” a Spanish term meaning “my son.” Over time, the close-knit community became a source of healing for the group.

Impact on the Parish and Community

In Concho and nearby towns, residents have ardently supported the League of the Blessed Sacrament, applauding their efforts in revitalizing the community and parish. Their initiatives included food distribution, children’s birthday celebrations, enlivening church services with music, and reviving the town’s historic Christmas fiesta.

Angela Murphy, a resident and historian, noted that the group prayed in the church seven times daily. “It was because of them that we heard church bells in Concho once again,” she stated.

Following their dismissal from their religious community, the group stopped wearing religious habits and requested not to be addressed as “brothers” or “sister.” Despite this, locals continued to refer to them with these titles out of respect, according to Murphy.

The League members now don black attire with their organization’s logo, which they established during their time as seminarians in California. In the past four years in Concho, they’ve launched an animal farm, thrift store, Catholic bookstore, farmer’s market, and coffee shop. These ventures, alongside a radio station, are situated in the heart of Concho and were funded through teaching salaries, fundraising efforts, and familial donations.

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Educational Involvement and Child Care

Until their dismissal in February, the group taught at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Show Low. Their teaching roles spanned various subjects: Vizcarra covered religion, Spanish, and robotics; Seeley taught math and religion; Faris handled art; Ribaya was in charge of music, while Hezmalhalch taught first grade and catechism.

Parents have shared how their children thrived under the group’s guidance, with many students expressing newfound interest in religion and pursuing baptism and confirmation.

The group also provided care for three boys from difficult backgrounds. With their mothers’ consent, they arranged housing for the children with a local resident.

Katherine Therese Heal, one boy’s mother, praised the group for being positive influences during her divorce. “What the brothers have done with him is miraculous. They have been the answer to my prayers,” she said.

Despite initial hesitation, Vizcarra and his colleagues embraced their roles as caregivers after witnessing the boys’ positive reactions. Heal confirmed Vizcarra and the others were in the process of adopting her son.

“While it feels strange because none of us signed up to be a parent, we believe this is a way God has shown us to help people in dire need,” Vizcarra explained.

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Community Seeks Clarification

Hope MacMonagle, a Concho native, believes the group has significantly contributed more to the Catholic community in their short time than the diocese has in years.

“When the brothers came here, it was like a breath of fresh air,” MacMonagle expressed. “I’m a cradle Catholic and I love my religion. But when they got here, it was like I was learning my religion all over again.”

She and others have questioned the diocese’s decision to expel the group, only to be met with silence. “Sometimes, I get the feeling that people don’t listen to us because we are small, insignificant, just a few people in the middle of nowhere,” she lamented.

The League’s influence extends to other towns like Show Low, St. Johns, and Snowflake. John and Ann Bunn from Show Low observed that the group was embraced by locals due to their goodwill and actions.

Longtime resident Christine Bennett emotionally demanded answers from the diocese. “We just want to know why,” she said. “We see all that they’ve done to light up this community. Now, they’re being ripped out of our parish and our hearts. Why is this happening?”

Hammons explained that the diocese has not addressed residents’ concerns publicly because the details are not deemed appropriate for public discussion.

Future Prospects

Last month, the group relocated to Vernon, about 25 miles south of Concho, where they have opened a K-12 Catholic school. Their farm animals are also being moved, although they plan to maintain their presence in Concho through their shops and radio station.

Despite the challenges with the diocese, the members have found healing through their service in Concho. However, the situation remains painful, particularly for Faris, a former Protestant minister turned Catholic who aspired to the priesthood.

“But God has provided us a way to be more holy and in a way, more conformed to him,” Faris reflected.

The group’s members continue to feel called to the priesthood, though their future remains uncertain. Seeley emphasized their focus on service and prayer, with all members upholding vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Ribaya stressed that he would not “sacrifice truth and justice for the sake of being a priest.”

“If God wants us to be priests, he’ll make it happen,” he stated. “If it has to take 30 or 40 years, so be it.”