Junipero Serra

A Saint's Sins

Columnist Elizabeth Breunig consults historians including James Sandos, Robert Senkiewicz and Steven Hackel to evaluate how the canonization of Father Junipero Serra among Catholics and his memorialization by Californians squares with recognition of atrocities committed against Native Americans by Spanish colonizers. 

This is why the canonization of Junípero Serra is so controversial

by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Visitors to California missions don't usually notice the whipping posts.  Serra is the one who began the practice of having Native Americans whipped. 

Junípero Serra statue vandalized at California mission

The legacy of Father Serra, who was canonized last week, has been disputed by Native Americans who say he oppressed their forebears as he worked to convert them to Catholicism.

Pope Francis canonizes controversial saint Serra

Pope Francis on Wednesday canonized Junipero Serra, a Spanish missionary, a moment of deep pride for Latinos but a source of controversy for many Native Americans.

Why the Pope wants to canonize Father Junipero Serra

by Steven W. Hackel

Serra may be remembered for whipping Indians, but the Pope hopes he'll serve to remind Americans of their Hispanic roots. 

Make Father Junípero Serra a Saint?

by Tony Platt

A conversation with myself.

Junípero Serra’s Missions Destroyed Entire Native Cultures. And Now He’s Going to Be a Saint.

Only one consequence of l’affaire Serra is agreed upon by all parties as a positive: It has opened up discussion of a tragic chapter in California history, one of which even many educated people are ignorant.

To Some in California, Founder of Church Missions Is Far From Saint

Indian historians and authors blame Father Serra for the suppression of their culture and the premature deaths at the missions of thousands of their ancestors.