Junipero Serra
The pope’s apology tour has some conspicuous gaps — let’s start with Junipero Serra
By Patty Krawec — July 29, 2022
(RNS) — Not too long ago, Francis rushed to canonize a man who perpetrated very similar harms.
California bishops should ask, ‘What would Junipero Serra do?’
By Thomas Reese — October 28, 2021
(RNS) — Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, has become the center of a firestorm in California where he was a Spanish missionary for 15 years beginning in 1768.
One year later, advocates pressure for charges to be dropped in toppling of Serra statue
By Alejandra Molina — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Referred to as the 'Indigenous Peoples 5,' the five protesters are each facing one count of felony vandalism for leveling the statue at Mission San Rafael Arcángel in San Rafael.
Man charged in San Gabriel Mission blaze that destroyed rooftop of historic church
By Alejandra Molina — May 4, 2021
SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (RNS) — John David Corey faces two felony counts of arson of an inhabited structure and one count each of arson during a state of emergency, first-degree residential burglary and possession of flammable material, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says.
Junipero Serra’s Carmel Mission to be restored for historic site’s 250th anniversary
By Alejandra Molina — March 8, 2021
(RNS) — A $4 million restoration project is expected to be completed in time for the mission’s 250th anniversary this fall.
As bad as the 1776 Commission’s report is the ‘heroes’ garden that goes with it
By Sarah Porter — January 20, 2021
(RNS) — The National Garden does the same work as the 1776 Commission report, only visually and spatially.
Thousands sign petition in support of five charged in Junipero Serra statue toppling
By Alejandra Molina — December 9, 2020
(RNS) — Five people charged with the toppling of a Junipero Serra statue at a California church in October are scheduled to appear in court this week.
Five charged in toppling of Junipero Serra statue in northern California
By Alejandra Molina — November 16, 2020
(RNS) — Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said protesters who have toppled Serra statues 'will be held accountable' for the first time.
Fire that destroyed roof of the San Gabriel Mission church remains under investigation
By Alejandra Molina — July 13, 2020
SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (RNS) — The fire has not only ignited Catholics to stand in support of the church, but also caused concern among Native people and scholars who fear the flames destroyed Indigenous artifacts and the structure itself, which was built by the Tongva people.
We have a story to tell: Indigenous scholars, activists speak up amid toppling of Serra statues
By Alejandra Molina — July 7, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As Californians once again reckon with their statues of Serra, Native people and Indigenous scholars say it’s time for their voices to be heard and their existence to be recognized.
California bishops say protesters ‘failed the test’ of history in toppling Junipero Serra statues
By Alejandra Molina — June 23, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The California Catholic Conference said Serra was ‘a man ahead of his times who made great sacrifices to defend and serve the indigenous population.’
Who is Junipero Serra and why are California protesters toppling statues of this saint?
By Alejandra Molina — June 20, 2020
(RNS) — In California, statues of Junipero Serra — who led the Catholic Church's missionary efforts among Native Americans on the West Coast — are coming into question.
Saint’s statue defaced amid Confederate monuments debate
By Kimberly Winston — August 21, 2017
(RNS) A statue of the Rev. Junipero Serra, canonized by Pope Francis but denounced by some Native Americans, was vandalized in Los Angeles.
Farrakhan ‘Justice or Else’ rally reaches beyond ‘Black Lives Matter’
By Adelle M. Banks — October 10, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) The rally on the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March addressed a range of grievances connected to justice, including calls to stop deportation and reduce mass incarceration.
St. Junipero Serra statue vandalized; graffiti calls him ‘saint of genocide’
By Reuters — September 29, 2015
Vandals topped the statue of the saint, canonized by Pope Francis last week, at the Catholic mission in Carmel, Calif., where the controversial 18th-century Spanish friar is buried.
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