Bishop: A Catholic church in downtown Las Cruces is a possibility

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LAS CRUCES Its been almost 50 years since the iconic St. Genevieve Catholic Church vanished from downtown Las Cruces. Many longtime residents have bemoaned its loss.

But with plans to build a civic plaza, almost on the same site where the old church stood, there is a possibility a glimmer that another church could be built downtown, either next to or adjacent to the proposed public gathering area.

We are open to studying the possibilities of building a chapel or church, said Bishop Oscar Cant, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. In many New Mexico communities plazas have been graced by a church, and very often a cathedral.

But Cant was quick to add there are other issues, other projects, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces that would take priority. There are other churches in other parishes that need to be built or renovated. Specifically, he pointed out a church is needed on the citys East Mesa, and efforts continue to build a church and associated facilities for the dioceses newest parish, St. John Paul II, in Santa Teresa.

There are aging churches in need of renovations or restoration throughout the diocese. Also, the dioceses population continues to rise. An estimated 120,000 Catholics are now living in the dioceses boundaries, which include all of southern New Mexico, and Cant said the church has to be prepared to meet the growing needs of its worshippers.

Still, building a church in downtown Las Cruces, which could range from a small chapel to a cathedral, could happen.

Cant emphasized there would have to be one important aspect in building a church.

I dont make these decisions by myself, Cant said. It is going to need community support to come behind it.

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Bishop: A Catholic church in downtown Las Cruces is a possibility