What is happening to our society? A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence, looting and vandalism. The toppling and defacing of statues in Golden Gate Park, including that of St. Junipero Serra, have become the latest example. The memorialization of historic figures merits an honest and fair discussion as to how and to whom such honor should be given. But here, there was no such rational discussion; it was mob rule, a troubling phenomenon that seems to be repeating itself throughout the country.
Everyone who works for justice and equality joins in the outrage of those who have been and continue to be oppressed. It is especially true that followers of Jesus Christ – Christians – are called to work tirelessly for the dignity of all human beings. This is a cornerstone of our faith. Our dear city bears the name of one of history’s most iconic figures of peace and goodwill: St. Francis of Assisi. For the past 800 years, the various Franciscan orders of brothers, sisters and priests that trace their inspiration back to him have been exemplary of not only serving, but identifying with, the poor and downtrodden and giving them their rightful dignity as children of God. St. Junipero Serra is no exception.
St. Serra made heroic sacrifices to protect the indigenous people of California from their Spanish conquerors, especially the soldiers. Even with his infirm leg which caused him such pain, he walked all the way to Mexico City to obtain special faculties of governance from the Viceroy of Spain in order to discipline the military who were abusing the Indians. And then he walked back to California. And lest there be any doubt, we have a physical reminder to this day: everywhere there is a presidio (soldiers’ barracks) associated with a mission in the chain of 21 missions that he founded, the presidio is miles away from the mission itself and the school…..
The above comes from a June 20 statement issued by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.
Interesting that the SF mob also tore out a statue of General U. S. Grant. This is what happens when we’re not serious about teaching history. Or does it matter which side he was on?
Greg, the operative word is “mob.” The mob generates its own reality quite independent of and usually contrary to verifiable facts. Of course it doesn’t help that history instruction has turned ravingly PC mad. How many times can a poor untrained mind hear Columbus was no better than Hitler and not want to join the pile-on?
I trust that the good ABP has his facts from a reliable neutral source.
When they start burning the parishes in the name of BLM, whose side will you choose….
Although no Saint, like Fr. Serra, have people forgotten that, as President, Grant went after the KKK?
Or, some might claim it was a partisan attack since Grant was a Republican and the Klansmen, sorry, Klanspersons, were Democrats.
Also, he opposed slavery. He “owned” a slave for less than a year (a slave who was given to him as a “gift”). Grant unconditionally released William Jones on March 29, 1859, years before the Civil War.
They should channel that energy into cleaning dirty drug needles and human feces off the streets in that city.
Hear, hear Kevin! They never let hysteria go to waste and just ignore the real problems crying out for solutions.
There is no use talking to these people, or discussing history, or talking morality, or what the Church has done for society and our country. They are not interested in facts, intelligent discussion, or any dialogue at all. The only thing they believe in is ruling by force, and that means forcing their own criminal government on the country. So lets stop this dialogue. It is useless. It is time for the police and military to bring their force to bear on these lawless and criminal people. It is time to establish the rule of law, and imprison rioters. Let’s end this forced imprisonment of cities, and criminal assaults. It needs to be made clear to all, that this lawlessness must stop, NOW.
One needs to be careful not to judge someone by standards other than those in effect at the time the person lived. Now will the “rioters” fare when judged by someone, say 200 years from now…
By the standards of any era, St Junipero Serra shines. In our substandard age, he shines all the more.
Not so long ago, a man ordered that statues be pulled down and books burned . His name was Adolf Hitler and these people are the new brown shirts.
Cordileone’s take on George Floyd (see original article) was not only wrong (see autopsy) but completely irresponsible. We expect this from the left. But it’s the asses on the right that ensured the looting, the burning, the murder, the insurrection, by their rush to judgement.
Morons taught by morons. This is nothing about the Floyd murder, he was only excuse to call out the Mob. This is about Marxism– eliminate God, destroy the family, eliminate history. Power!
What do we expect from a generation that was not disciplined by 1) parents, 2) a public school system, and now 3) the current government. Would it be reasonably to self-discipline from those that have known no discipline?
Even American clergy don’t get it right. Archbishop Cordileone’s ignorant remark about “St Junipero.making heroic sacrifice to protect indigenous people FROM the Spanish conquerors, specially soldiers” is again the usual Protestant “black legend” attacks against the Spanish church, people and the Catholic Royal Crown! . Indians were given same rights as regular Spanish citizens, EVANGELIZED & SACRAMENTALIZED treated as human souls. Given education in reading-grammar, in AGRICULTURE (before, they were nomads) consider as citizens of the Crown, intermarriages. See Indians TODAY with SPANISH last names. COMPLETE OPPOSITE from Protestant settlers. Still with Indians TODAY IN RESERVATIONS. Even the Virgin used the ENCOUNTER OF CULTURES to bring the true FAITH to the HUMAN SACRIFICES (children & hearts tored out of still living humans etc) inhumane culture. That there were bad Spaniards,Am sure there were. BUT in all Indians were even PROTECTED from their own, human sacrifice & canibalism practices. THANK YOU INSTEAD FOR MANY unknown saints brutally killed by demonic practices. St Junipero sent here BY THE SPANISH CROWN TO EVANGELIZE AND CIVILIZED those good souls IGNORANT OF A MERCY GOD!
I posted a comment on how Spain came to evangelize and protect Indians from their INHUMANE SACRIFICES peers. With education in agriculture, Christianity, hospitals etcetc. Intermarriage..if not look around & see European and Indian features and last names. Even the Virgin came through the Spaniard encounter with the American Indians or Mejicas etc. Not put in RESERVATIONS like Protestants did when settling here.