ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Religion is a major character in the story of New Mexico.
From Spanish missionaries, to religious traditions and tribal ceremonies, to the beautiful cathedrals and chapels that remain the center of many communities, New Mexico is as much a reflection of faith, as it is a tale about striking out to build a new life in the wilds of the West.
There are plenty of cities, buildings and roads in New Mexico bearing names that reflect our devotion to the spiritual world. One of the state’s most prominent historical, religious figures was French native Jean Baptiste Lamy. The proper French pronunciation of his name is lah-MEE but it has become LAY-mee in New Mexico. He was the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s first archbishop and he came to the region to provide guidance to a group of priests and bishops some believed had become corrupt or strayed too far from the teachings of the church. One of the allegations was that the clergy were engaging in intimate relationships wit