Junipero Serra to be given Sainthood- Discussion/Opinions?

[Aki]

So, I guess on the upcoming trip to the USA, Pope Francis is deciding to canonize Junipero Serra, a priest of the Catholic church that brought Catholicism to the west coast, and opened up the California Missions, which were very instrumental in wiping away a lot of the culture, languages, and traditions of California Native tribes, as well as some of the tribe members themselves. (It's a very quick and easy topic to search for online, so it's not hard to get yourself up to date on the whole thing.)

Now, my history is very rusty, as California State Social Studies was.... oh, fifth grade? So, until I learn more, I have very little right to say much of anything at this point. I'm reading the articles that come across my Facebook from a Native News page I subscribe to. California Natives are --understandably-- very upset about this all, and are rather beside themselves with pain and anger. Considering what was recorded in journals by eye witnesses, most of the articles I read are doing their best to keep things calm and level-headed, which is incredibly admirable.

All I can think is that if Pope Francis is making a public California appearance, if enough Native Peoples show up to protest, I believe he would take notice, and at least begin to talk to some people, or have discussions, or look into the history. He has appeared to be respectful, and very sensitive to other cultures/groups/peoples so far, and I find it hard to believe that if he sat down and talked to people, he would not act in the same manner, also. But, this is just me, and both he and I are only human. Humans have opinions, prejudices, and foibles. We all do.

So... What are your thoughts about this? I would love to have a reasonable discussion over this recent event, if at all possible.

[Thunder Bow]

Religion is all about Control. So I stay out of this.

[Aki]

Fair enough. =)

[Makoiyi]

Agreed Thunder Bow, I live in a Catholic country far from home now but I can't forget what they did to my people, family and very nearly me. I've good friends here who are devoutly Catholic many who had no idea what their church have done to my people and they don't agree with it, their even fighting there own battles with what the Catholic Church have done here to their own people.

But many can't for what ever personal reasons change their beliefs and why should they. So we compromise and just agree to disagree n don't get drawn into it. They respect me and my beliefs and I respect them and their beliefs.

Makoiyi

[Aki]

I'm glad that you have people around you that you can at least have mutual respect for each other and your beliefs. =)

[makwaiskwew]

Thank you for this discussion.

If you wish to do more,please research

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band: Open Letter to Pope Francis


Valentin Lopez, Chairman Amah Mutsun Tribal Band on April 23, 2015 at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues reasons why Father Serra is guilty of committing ethnocide. It has been clearly documented that Father Serra wanted to destroy Native culture including their communities, their Spirituality, their languages and their way of life leaving the Indigenous people no choice but to accept the Catholic religion.

Please consider sending a letter of support and solidarity to:
His Holiness Pope Francis Casa de Marta

Vatican City Rome 00120
Italy

[Native spirit]

Have to agree with Thunder Bow on this


Namaste

[Star Wolf Medicine Woman]

To be honest I find Catholicism rather Hypocritical, they really need to put their own house in order and not just deny it happened and cover it up.
. I too agree with Thunder Bow, Native spirit and Makoiyi...