New Mexicans mourn Archbishop Sanchez

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Nearly two decades after he resigned in scandal, Archbishop Robert Sanchez's body returned to the cathedral where he was high priest of New Mexico's largest Catholic diocese for 19 years.

The funeral procession pulled up in front of St. Francis Cathedral at about 9:45 a.m.

Shortly after, Sanchez's coffin was rolled into the historic church, which will ultimately serve as his final resting place, as family members fought back tears.

After a ceremonial Rite of Reception, the former Archbishop's body lay in state for public viewing throughout the day which drew hundreds from around the state to the cathedral.

Sanchez, who died last Friday at age 77, was appointed to the post of Archbishop of Santa Fe in 1974, the nation's first Hispanic archbishop. He was criticized for failing to stop pedophile priests who abused children in several parishes and resigned in scandal in 1993 after it was revealed he had had affairs with several women.

That past was not forgotten by Sanchez's successor, Archbishop Michael Sheehan.

"We ask God to forgive him his failings his sins and to comfort those loved ones he leaves behind and we also ask God to comfort those who have been harmed and hurt in any way during his time here," said Archbishop Sheehan.

But Sheehan said Sanchez was also a gentle and kind man of the people who left behind a legacy of fighting for better inclusion of Hispanic residents in the church. Wednesday, Sheehan wore a turquoise pectoral cross given to him by Sanchez in 1983 when Sheehan was named Bishop of Lubbock in the former Archbishop's honor.

Many who came to mourn told News 13 they felt reunited with someone close to them who had disappeared.

"It was... like a family member had gone missing so seeing him here lying in state closed a missing loop for a lot of us," said Leroy Pacheco, who was confirmed in the church by Sanchez as a young boy. "It was just important for me to say goodbye and pay my last respects to a man I greatly admired."

"He was very easy to talk to very approachable," said Ely Torres, who came from Belen for the ceremony.

"He was an Archbishop but first he was a man and whatever he did was because we are human beings," said Ray Armenta. "He was a very down to earth person, just like a common person, not like a prince of the church. He just understood people and he was very amicable and willing to help the poor."

A vigil was held at 6:00 p.m. ahead of Thursday's 10 a.m. mass. The body will then be moved to the church's crypt for interment.