Bishop Cantu sets the record straight: Las Cruces will be getting papal Mass tickets
Oscar Cant, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, confirmed Friday his diocese will be getting tickets to the Papal Mass to be celebrated in Juarez by Pope Francis on Feb. 17.
Cantu said it is not known, at this time, exactly how many tickets will be available for his diocese. For weeks, however, the Juarez Catholic Diocese has said it has designated 5,000 tickets for Las Cruces.
Thursday, ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom learned there was confusion in Las Cruces regarding tickets to the papal Mass.
An ABC-7 photographer recorded video of a sign posted on a door at The Las Cruces Pastoral Center stating, “Due to limited seating, the Diocese of Ciudad Juarez was unable to provide the Diocese of Las Cruces with tickets for the papal Mass. No papal Mass tickets.”
That same day, ABC-7 attended a news conference held by the Juarez Diocese, where officials confirmed 10,000 tickets were allocated to the El Paso Catholic Diocese and 5,000 tickets were allocated to the Las Cruces Catholic Diocese.
Friday, Cantu said the tickets will be distributed through parishes and Catholic schools. Some tickets may be shared with other dioceses in the area.
The tickets will be sent to each parish no later than Feb. 11. Anyone requesting tickets must agree that each ticket will be used by that person, or immediate members of their family.
Cantu will officially represent The U.S. Conference of Bishops at the papal Mass.
