Cochise monks change church
BISBEE – Both sides in a dispute over plans to build a Greek monastery near Cochise Stronghold have reached an agreement that was approved by Cochise County officials here Tuesday.
The monastery’s church will no longer be built on top of a 120-foot hill, as was originally planned. Monks from the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Monastery agreed to move the church off the hill to a spot at least 70 feet below. They also agreed to construct buildings with neutral earth-toned colors to blend in with the landscape.
”We are very happy they brought it off the hill. They didn’t have to do it, and they did,” said Karen Weilacher, one of 14 people who had filed an appeal against the original project because they said its height of up to 60 feet, or six floors, on top of a hill would mar the gateway to a sacred area.
Other restrictions on the project, according to the new development plan, include allowing no more than 70 monks to live at the monastery with no more than 150 overnight guests at any time.
The Greek monks own 481 acres just outside the eastern side of Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, about 70 miles southeast of Tucson. The monks plan to build several structures, including a church with a bell tower and a cross.
Cochise Stronghold was the hide-out of the Chiricahua Apache Indians when they were pursued by the U.S. Cavalry. Legendary Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise is buried somewhere inside the stronghold, which is a blend of public and private property. The exact location of his grave is unknown.
The 490 members of the Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe in Oklahoma say they are satisfied with the development agreement. Much of southeastern Arizona was Chiricahua Apache territory until 1886. Tribal members are direct descendants of the Chiricahua Apaches and own four acres inside the Stronghold. Vice Chairman Lupe Gooday said the solution is the best they are going to get, since the land is private.
When Weilacher, who owns property inside the Stronghold, and some other local property holders first heard about the project’s height, they launched a campaign against the building plans by circulating fliers and putting information on the Web site of the nearby Grapevine Canyon Ranch. The Web site encouraged critics to write the Cochise County Board of Supervisors.
Weilacher’s group hired a lawyer, and so did the monks.
”I have never seen such a campaign against something happening,” Cochise County Supervisor Paul Newman said at Tuesday’s meeting. ”So many people were opposed because of the sight lines. This agreement is one of the best pieces of news I’ve had all summer.”
Similarly, Supervisor Les Thompson congratulated the monks, who operate another monastery near Florence, for listening to the community.
”I congratulate you, and I thank you very much,” he said.
The Greek monks did not use a tactic that many other religious organizations are using around the country: arguing their right to construct buildings of any size under the 2000 Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
The act, which has prompted lawsuits across the country, prohibits any zoning that imposes a ”substantial burden” on religious exercise without a compelling government interest.
The Rev. Anthony K. Moschonas said the monks wanted to work with the community, not against it.
”I hope the monastery will be a treasure to the county,” he said. ”Always we will remember Cochise in our prayers, and people, you will be proud of what we build.”
Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at 573-4134 or at sinnes@azstarnet.com.