Parishioners mourn slain N.M. nun, 64

Then she herself fell victim to a horrible crime.

The beloved nun was killed in her residence on church property, a killing that has rattled this impoverished town on the Navajo Indian Reservation and left parishioners in mourning.

"She was like a mom to me,” said resident Arlene Deche. "It was so sad to hear what happened to her.”

When Bartz, 64, failed to show up as scheduled for Sunday Mass in the neighboring community of Sawmill, a person who hasn’t been identified was sent to check on her welfare.

The church property sits along a highway against a scenic backdrop of red rock cliffs near the New Mexico-Arizona border. Her death turned tragedy loose on a town long beset by economic hard times, with its boarded-up, graffiti-scarred houses and weed-strewn playground.

Parishioners sobbed and hugged in the church parking lot as Bartz’s roommate, who would only identify herself as Sister Magdalena, returned Wednesday to the residence they shared.

Sister Magdalena was in New Jersey when the crime happened. She said she now plans to move to the larger town of Fort Defiance, Ariz., 15 miles south of Navajo.

"She did a lot of counseling with people that were having difficulties,” Magdalena said. "It’s hard for anybody to understand the depth of what she did. She wanted so much to empower the people. She wanted them to know how good they were.”

The FBI is investigating Bartz’s death. A spokesman said Wednesday a quick arrest is not likely.

A mini-SUV Bartz had used was being transported to Albuquerque for processing by investigators.

The FBI has declined to provide any motive for Bartz’s murder or to say how she was killed, but said the murder apparently happened Halloween night or early Sunday. Autopsy results were pending.

Parishioners Deche and Mary Petersen said Bartz had served Navajo and the surrounding communities for a decade and had success converting people through her work.

When they talked about Bartz, they spoke of her in the present tense.

"She makes me and my family feel really safe,” Deche said.

Deche and others said Bartz prayed with them in their homes and traveled to the homes of elders on the remote reservation.

She offered advice on raising children, ran bingo and religious education classes, played guitar and learned the Navajo language to sing Navajo songs.

She had a big smile.

"She seemed to be a person who got really close to people. She had a huge impact on people’s lives and really reached out to families in need among the people she served,” said Lee Lamb, spokesman for the Diocese of Gallup.

Mary Petersen of Navajo said she was worried about two women living alone with no dogs or a man to protect them.

Rough economic times started here more than two decades ago with the closure of a sawmill that had employed up to 400 people. While many stayed in Navajo — the population is roughly 1,500 residents — jobs are scarce and many villagers are poor.

The streets have potholes and abandoned houses are covered with black graffiti.

About five years ago, the local recreation hall shut down, said Raymond Howard of Navajo. A playground and basketball court are overgrown with weeds. Residents worry there’s not enough to keep teenagers busy.

Petersen worried that other religious workers might stay away from the town, but Deche said she takes comfort in knowing that Bartz’s spirit will look over the little church.

"In spirit, she’s here. She’s not going to leave us. She’s not going to abandon us. She’s going to lead us on,” Deche said.

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