The idea of the prayer vigil, Bishop Wall said, is to pray for Mitchell's conversion, for healing for the victims' family, and for conversion of the hearts of the executioners.
Fr. Downie served in the military and raised a family with his wife, Valda. After she died, he answered the call to serve the people of the Diocese of Gallup as a priest.
Bishop James Wall welcomed the announcement: "The example of the life of the ‘Padre on Horseback’ has played a large part in strengthening my own Catholic faith".
"Deacons are called to service, deacons are called to assist at the altar, deacons are called to make up what is lacking in other ministries of the Church."
"We are very much mindful that DACA children were often brought to this country at a very young age and through no responsibility of their own. They were raised in the United States, attend our schools, make positive contributions to our society, and do not know any other country but our own."
"When the soul gives in to sin, it does not bear fruit...the fruit of happiness, meaning, justice, loveliness, and interior peace."
Homilist: Bishop James Wall
‘We have been subjected to criticism, derision and even death threats. We’d like nothing better than to return to our mission unhindered by the fear of millions of dollars in fines.’
