Today Pope Francis will be holding a special mass in Washington DC to officially pronounce Junipero Serra a "saint." California Indians, descendants of the survivors of the genocidal California Mission system, have strongly opposed the Pope's decision. They are in a state of shock, anger, and mourning over the impending declaration of sainthood for its founder.
Simultaneous vigils of mourning and truth-telling will be held today by Indigenous people and their supporters at 12:00pm at Mission San Carlos, Carmel by the Sea, at 12 pm, Mission Dolores in San Francisco (1pm), Mission San Juan Capistrano (12pm), and Mission San Diego (12pm). Below is the press release about the Day of Mourning:
Louise J. Miranda Ramirez—ramirez.louise@yahoo.com
Caroline Ward Holland—walkfortheancestors@gmail.com
9/23/15—For Immediate Release:
California Indians to Hold Day of Mourning as Pope Declares Sainthood for Junipero Serra
Wednesday, September 23rd —Stand with California Indian People:
12:00pm at Mission San Carlos, Carmel by the Sea, CA - PLEASE WEAR BLACK
On September 23rd, Pope Francis will be holding a special mass in Washington DC to officially pronounce Junipero Serra a saint. California Indians, descendants of the survivors of the genocidal California Mission system, are in a state of shock, anger, and mourning over the impending declaration of sainthood for its founder.
Louise J. Miranda Ramirez, Chairwoman of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation of the greater Monterey County on whose ancestral lands the Carmel Mission stands, has called for a day of prayer and mourning.
Caroline Ward Holland, Tataviam descendant and leader of the 2015 Walk for the Ancestors, will be joining her along with other Native Americans and supporters. Ramirez is asking that everyone attending honor this ceremony for our Ancestors by wearing black and gathering in prayer at the cemetery of Mission San Carlos in Carmel, CA starting at 12:00pm, for a Day of Mourning.
Louise J. Miranda Ramirez says "We will be praying for our Ancestors that suffered by Serra. We will pray that the Ancestors know that we love them and will always honor and remember them. We will pray for all of our Indian Ancestors that the Pope has forgotten. I will pray to the Creator that he hold Pope Francis responsible for the sins of Serra by his acceptance of Serra's crimes on all Indian People! Las Otno Ayam Taxawi Kominan Lex Efexe!"
“It’s unfathomable that in 2015, after everything we know about the Mission System and what it did to our Ancestors, that we have to gather in a Day of Mourning while the Church honors the individual who is directly responsible for what happened,” stated Caroline Ward Holland.
“We are asking that all our family, friends, and supporters join us, wherever they are, in this day of fasting and mourning,” says Corine Fairbanks of American Indian Movement Southern California. “We have the support of Indigenous relatives throughout Canada, the United States and as far away as Russia and Australia who are standing with us in solidarity as this heinous canonization of Junipero Serra proceeds.”
At Mission San Carlos in Carmel, CA, a live broadcast of the Pope's canonization Mass will be displayed on large screen monitors in the Mission courtyard. The Diocese of Monterey estimates 200-400 people may be in attendance in Carmel for the broadcast and accompanying celebrations. Those coming to participate in the Day of Mourning are advised to arrive early and be prepared for traffic congestion and limited parking in the vicinity of the Mission.
Numerous California Indian nations and Native American organizations have issued statements strongly opposing the canonization of Serra and calling on the Pope to reverse it, including the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Kizh Nation: Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, California Association of Tribal Governments, and the American Indian Movement. To date, no responses from the Vatican have been received by tribal leaders on this issue.
On September 7th, Tataviam descendants Caroline Ward Holland and Kagen Holland began the Walk for the Ancestors, a 650-mile pilgrimage to each of the 21 California Missions to "honor the Indigenous ancestors who suffered and perished in the Mission system and assert California Indian rejection of sainthood for Junipero Serra." They are currently walking from Mission San Juan Bautista to Carmel, where they will be received by representatives of the Ohlone/ Costanoan-Esselen Nation, whose ancestors trace back directly to Mission Carmel and Mission Soledad.
"As we walk to pay our respects to the ancestors on this walk, there has always been a thought in my mind that maybe the Pope would decide to stand for what he says he stands for, and recant his decision to canonize Serra," stated Caroline Ward Holland. "If he is who he says he is, then he would realize that this is wrong."
Simultaneous vigils of mourning and truth-telling will be held on September 23rd by Indigenous people and their supporters at Mission Dolores in San Francisco (1pm), Mission San Juan Capistrano (12pm), and Mission San Diego (12pm).
For more information, please see:
2015 Walk for the Ancestors:
http://walkfortheancestors.org
Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation website:
http://www.ohlonecostanoanesselennation.org/