The violent truth about Pope Francis' new Saint Junipero Serra

[pumkinbutter]

Junipero Serra, the Franciscan friar who Pope Francis plans to canonize during his first trip to the United States this week, advocated and oversaw the whipping, beating, flogging and extermination of Native Americans in what is now California. Serra, the founder of the state’s first mission in San Diego in 1769, will be the first saint canonized

Comments

[bnmc2005]

O_O

Could they have chosen a less appropriate person?

[tilmon]

When it comes to genocide of native peoples, there are so many contenders for the title of "least appropriate for sainthood". The entire tradition of creating saints rests on the bones of those who could best testify against it.

[mutive]

Oh, easily. Unfortunately it's not hard to find people who've done terrible things to other people.

[ivegotanlj]

This doesn't surprise me. I've been to the Old Mission River Trail where that mission used to be. The roads are named after Serra and his ilk, the landmarks and road signs praise his leadership. The signs speak highly of his ability to face "adversity". It's all pretty gross.

But then again, they used up using that same sight for bomb testing so...

[ivegotanlj]

This doesn't surprise me. I've been to the Old Mission River Trail where that mission used to be. The roads are named after Serra and his ilk, the landmarks and road signs praise his leadership. The signs speak highly of his ability to face "adversity". It's all pretty gross.

But then again, they used up using that same sight for bomb testing so...