An employee at a Catholic church in Albuquerque was allegedly threatened with a firearm after the parish’s pastor publicly supported a proposed mosque project, prompting local religious leaders to call for peace and unity.
“A week ago today we had an awful event here on our campus and then on the street beside it,” said Fr Vincent Chavez, pastor of St Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church, on July 29.
Fr Chavez invited Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders to meet on Wednesday to discuss how their communities could overcome differences and promote greater unity and peace, he told local television station KOB 4.
“We want you to feel, you know, don’t be afraid. Come to us with your questions. We’ll be welcoming. We’ll be listening,” said Marciel Romero, president of Nahalat Shalom, a synagogue in Albuquerque.
“Tolerance is not weakness. Respect is not surrender,” said Ahmad Assed, an attorney and former president of the Islamic Center of New Mexico. “Protecting another person’s constitutional rights does not diminish our own rights.”
Fr Chavez said the tensions began after he spoke in favour of the proposed mosque before county commissioners. A woman, Katrina Griego, recorded his remarks and shared them on social media, he told KOB 4.
According to Fr Chavez, Griego “called for people to telephone the office of the archbishop” and demanded that he and another priest be removed from the archdiocese. The pair then argued on social media, after which Fr Chavez referred to her by name on the parish sign.
“So then I put up on the marquee, ‘Racism, a grave sin against God’s love,’ and underneath it I put, ‘Katrina G,’” he said.
Fr Chavez has previously used the parish sign to promote various causes, including messages critical of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and support for the “No Kings” movement.
On July 22, Griego later came to St Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church, where she and Fr Chavez spoke. According to Fr Chavez, he warned her that her actions were sinful. After he left the scene, the parish’s facilities director asked her to leave.
Police allege that her boyfriend, David Romero, then arrived and produced a firearm.
“The facilities director said, ‘He has a gun, Father.’ I said, ‘Shoot me. I don’t care. I’m ready to go. We have a good God over here,’” Fr Chavez told local media.
The facilities director then used pepper spray on Romero. Police have charged Romero with two counts of aggravated assault.
Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, whose archdiocese includes Albuquerque, has also publicly expressed support for the proposed mosque.
