“A profound mistake”

Junipero Serra is a very poor choice for sainthood.

Way back when in the 15th century the Pope declared that things like slavery were OK. Also OK was the Mission system in California and Mexico.

What was the Mission system?

Let’s get the basic history right:

The Missions were colonial outposts for the Spanish Empire where indigenous people were kidnapped, enslaved and beaten for not cooperating or working hard enough. Many died in captivity.

Like slavery, the Mission system was theft of land and lives backed up by violence.