Wednesday’s canonization was the first on USA soil.
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“We are heirs to the bold missionary spirit of so many men and women who preferred not to be shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security… within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving”, the man dubbed the “people’s pope” said.
“He was the embodiment of a church which goes forth – a church which sets out everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God”, the pontiff said. He kept going forward to the end of his life.
Francis sat front and center under a portico, a red curtain behind him and throngs of witnesses and guests seated outside before him.
“They were asked to speak a different language”, Hackel said.
In California, where the former friar established numerous Catholic missions in the 1700s, he is still remembered for building those missions in a manner that led to the demise of Native American tribes who were already on the land.
Some students also expressed excitement over Pope Francis’ visit. For Junipero Serra that meant “defending the dignity of the native community, protecting it from those who had mistreated and abused it”, he said. He said: “A Christian experiences joy in following a command: Go forth and proclaim the good news”.
Outside, the thousands who stood had cheered wildly as Francis arrived earlier in his popemobile, waving to the throngs lining the street on the way to the Basilica on the campus of Catholic University.
Clifton noted that while the pope is known for weighing in on controversial issues, his message so far in the USA has been positive. I’ve always wanted to see a pope in person. “Serra did a lot to intercede” for the native population, he said, and it was “a blessing he was there to buffer the consequences of colonization”.
In California, at the historic Carmel mission where Serra died, up to 400 faithful planned to watch the Mass on a giant screen in the courtyard. Some were opposed to the canonization of Serra.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II became the first reigning pope to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Ron Andrade, director of the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission told the Washington Post he was disappointed by the church’s decision.
Elias Castillo, author of “A Cross of Thorns: the Enslavement of California’s Indians by the Spanish Missions”, said the Catholic outposts were veritable “death camps”. They were primarily designed to convert natives to the Catholic faith. They were reportedly beaten, kidnapped, even held in his missions as virtual slaves until they converted to Catholicism. “What is happening here is the pope is trying to say Junipero Serra was a Spanish immigrant who came to California and made an important contribution”.
“We’re stunned and we’re in disbelief”, Valentin Lopez, chairman of California’s Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, told CNN Wednesday. “And I think if we were all kinder, gentler and non-judging community, it would be a better place to live”.
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“It’s exciting to see our namesake being designated a saint and we’re excited that a priest from a little over 300 years ago is getting this recognition”, Chuck Lynch said.
