(LifeSiteNews) — The tension between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration continues to escalate. The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been named in a federal lawsuit after the diocese said it would challenge an eminent domain effort tied to the construction of a border wall.
As reported by The Texas Tribune, the land that the Trump administration hopes to obtain for the border wall contains the pilgrimage site, Mount Cristo Rey. Each year on the Feast of Christ the King, approximately 40,000 pilgrims travel up to the mountains to celebrate Mass. Many make the trek in their bare feet, and sometimes on their knees. The diocese explained that government seizure of the land would deprive the Catholic faithful of this holy practice.
“The erection of a border wall through or along this holy site could irreparably damage its religious and cultural sanctity, obstruct pilgrimage routes, and transfer sacred space into a symbol of division,” the diocese noted. “Any federal action to seize this land, construct physical barriers, or impede access to Mount Cristo Rey would constitute a significant infringement on religious freedom and the rights of worship.”
The lawsuit has also drawn pushback from local politicians. Democratic U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar argued that there are other ways to obtain border security without desecrating sacred sites.
“Mt. Cristo Rey’s cultural and religious significance is central to our region,” Escobar said. “Seizing this community asset in order to build a border wall is consistent with the Trump administration’s blatant disregard for what communities like ours value. There are a number of other ways to provide border security. Instead, the Trump administration prefers to destroy this sacred site.”
The new lawsuit comes amid several spats between Pope Leo and the Trump administration mainly over the Iran war.
President Donald Trump has called the Pope “weak on crime and foreign policy,” insinuating Leo is in favor of mass migration. However, Pope Leo has clarified that while nations should maintain borders, migrants should also be treated with dignity.
“I personally believe that a state has the right to set rules for its borders,” Pope Leo said. “I am not saying that everyone must enter in any way, without order, creating situations that are sometimes more unjust in the place where they arrive … they are human beings and they deserve the respect that every human being deserves by virtue of human dignity.”