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Indybay Feature
Mission Carmel Vandalized Days After Pope Francis Canonizes Junipero Serra
Today, as a parish celebration of the sainthood of Junipero Serra was scheduled to take place at the Carmel Mission Basilica, a statue of Serra was toppled over and paint was smeared on two grave sites, as well as on signs with the name of Serra, and on the doors of the mission. One mission artifact was inscribed with the statement, "Saint of Genocide". As founder of the California mission system, Junipero Serra oversaw the enslavement and torture of tens of thousands of Native Americans. Serra symbolize the genocide to many people, and his remains are buried at the Carmel mission. Despite widespread objections, Junipero Serra was canonized on September 23 at the National Shrine in Washington DC by Pope Francis during his US visit. Carmel police have said in the media that no Native American tombstones were vandalized, only the graves of Europeans.
Mission Carmel responded to the incident by posting photos and a series of messages on Facebook:
"We are sadden to learn this morning of vandalism inside the entrance courtyard in front of the Basilica early this morning. Staff and police are in route to investigate. Apparently a person or persons broke in, splattered paint and toppled down the courtyard statue of St. Serra and other historic statues on display. More details to follow. Pray that the people how did this take responsibility for their actions on this sacred property and that they seek reconciliation."
"Breaking News Update--staff on scene assessing the damage. The bronze statue was broken off at the base, and terrible messages were etched in the base of the statue. Green paint poured on statue, white paint in the cemetery, paint on the rear doors to the church, grave stones splattered with paint, and insults written on monuments. We will have pictures later."
"The Mission needs volunteers and skilled professionals to volunteer with the clean up today. If you can help please come down and offer your assistance. The way to healing is peace and service."
"We are sadden to learn this morning of vandalism inside the entrance courtyard in front of the Basilica early this morning. Staff and police are in route to investigate. Apparently a person or persons broke in, splattered paint and toppled down the courtyard statue of St. Serra and other historic statues on display. More details to follow. Pray that the people how did this take responsibility for their actions on this sacred property and that they seek reconciliation."
"Breaking News Update--staff on scene assessing the damage. The bronze statue was broken off at the base, and terrible messages were etched in the base of the statue. Green paint poured on statue, white paint in the cemetery, paint on the rear doors to the church, grave stones splattered with paint, and insults written on monuments. We will have pictures later."
"The Mission needs volunteers and skilled professionals to volunteer with the clean up today. If you can help please come down and offer your assistance. The way to healing is peace and service."
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meant to be. was wondering if peeps were just gonna take another rape of the soul by false ''christianity''. fukkkers injured me permanently with their chemicals. that's ruined my social life and effectiveness. death to fascism!
I wrote a very thoughtful commentary on the Mission Carmel page regarding the vandalism that occured this week to a serra statue & the hundreds of comments made about it by folks but they wont post my words. So, I am going to try to get the point out here instead.
I am catholic. I am also the founder of a chicano indigenous org in so cal which has been actively involved in the #SerraAintNoSaint advocacy. I think it is very strange that so many of the comments made by folks about the incident use language like "evil, hate, cruel, violence & destruction." This was an inanimate object. It was paint & a tumbled statue. If it was sacred, it certainly wasn't more sacred than the lives of hundreds or thousands of native people including women, children & even their elders. The language, customs, beliefs and even the names of natives are sacred to them, yet they were forcibly taken. The land that you are likely standing on as you read this is Sacred INDIAN Land! Yet when these same words are used to describe the mission system & the otracities that happened within those walls, we are told its exaggerated. How can it be "evil" for a statue but not for human beings?
Even those folks within the church who acknowledge the evils done to native people fail to see that it is still happening today. It doesn't matter that to you it happened long ago. The truth is these acts are happening every day to indigenous people around the world, including here right now! For the survivors of this trauma it is as if it happened yesterday. Think of a war soldier or a survivor of rape or violent murderous acts. You wouldnt expect them to just get over it with a half hearted apology. In fact, you might expect that kind of dismisiveness to incite even more outrage and a call for justice.
Saying I am sorry is just not enough for the gravity of the acts involved. As catholics or christians or just compassionate human beings we must show contrition. The church must be accountable for the sins against native people. We must take action to condemn these acts and ALL who were involved, to demand they stop NOW & ensure that nothing like this continues in the future.
How do we do that? We do it by telling the truth, especially to our children & giving back what was taken away by supporting reconnection with indigenous ways. We do it by understanding some of the damage is irreparable & being compasionate about outrage and grief when expressed by the native peoples. We do it by NOT honoring or glorifying the systems that murdered & oppressed the vulnerable & the innocent.
Before you condemn the actions of anyone please take a moment to imagine if native folk said to you, "At least the whole church wasn't destroyed. At least it wasn't burned to the ground." That is what YOU are doing when you say at least Serra didnt do this or that. Or my favorite slap in the face to native people... "He was just a man of his time, so don't judge him by today's standard!"
Please know that just like many of you have said you are praying for the vandals. Many of US are praying to the creator for YOU to open your hearts & truly hold the church along with ALL the people involved in these acts of genocide accountable. CONTRITION is not easy but it is necessary for the healing of ALL of us. BLESSINGS to every being of our mother earth but especially for all the indigenous peoples struggling with these injustices around the world.
I am catholic. I am also the founder of a chicano indigenous org in so cal which has been actively involved in the #SerraAintNoSaint advocacy. I think it is very strange that so many of the comments made by folks about the incident use language like "evil, hate, cruel, violence & destruction." This was an inanimate object. It was paint & a tumbled statue. If it was sacred, it certainly wasn't more sacred than the lives of hundreds or thousands of native people including women, children & even their elders. The language, customs, beliefs and even the names of natives are sacred to them, yet they were forcibly taken. The land that you are likely standing on as you read this is Sacred INDIAN Land! Yet when these same words are used to describe the mission system & the otracities that happened within those walls, we are told its exaggerated. How can it be "evil" for a statue but not for human beings?
Even those folks within the church who acknowledge the evils done to native people fail to see that it is still happening today. It doesn't matter that to you it happened long ago. The truth is these acts are happening every day to indigenous people around the world, including here right now! For the survivors of this trauma it is as if it happened yesterday. Think of a war soldier or a survivor of rape or violent murderous acts. You wouldnt expect them to just get over it with a half hearted apology. In fact, you might expect that kind of dismisiveness to incite even more outrage and a call for justice.
Saying I am sorry is just not enough for the gravity of the acts involved. As catholics or christians or just compassionate human beings we must show contrition. The church must be accountable for the sins against native people. We must take action to condemn these acts and ALL who were involved, to demand they stop NOW & ensure that nothing like this continues in the future.
How do we do that? We do it by telling the truth, especially to our children & giving back what was taken away by supporting reconnection with indigenous ways. We do it by understanding some of the damage is irreparable & being compasionate about outrage and grief when expressed by the native peoples. We do it by NOT honoring or glorifying the systems that murdered & oppressed the vulnerable & the innocent.
Before you condemn the actions of anyone please take a moment to imagine if native folk said to you, "At least the whole church wasn't destroyed. At least it wasn't burned to the ground." That is what YOU are doing when you say at least Serra didnt do this or that. Or my favorite slap in the face to native people... "He was just a man of his time, so don't judge him by today's standard!"
Please know that just like many of you have said you are praying for the vandals. Many of US are praying to the creator for YOU to open your hearts & truly hold the church along with ALL the people involved in these acts of genocide accountable. CONTRITION is not easy but it is necessary for the healing of ALL of us. BLESSINGS to every being of our mother earth but especially for all the indigenous peoples struggling with these injustices around the world.
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