The statue of St. Junipero Serra became the target of vandalism in Los Angeles, which was located in a park across the street from the San Fernando Mission. It is claimed that someone painted St. Junipero’s hands red and scrawled “murderer” on the statue. His Holiness Pope Francis elevated St. Junipero to sainthood two years ago. Other statues of the saint in the state have also been defaced in the recent years.
As reported by catholicherald.co.uk, Los Angeles officials remarked that “Vandals have defaced the statue of Fr. Junipero Serra, who is believed to be the 18th century missionary canonized by Pope Francis.” Christian Mendoza, a visitor to the park said that “Everyone is entitled to their own public opinions and thoughts, but once it gets to this level I don’t think it is right.”
St. Junipero Serra brought the Catholic faith to California and reshaped the culture of West. Vandals also attacked another historical religious site in the Central Coast connected to St. Serra and splashed red paints across the front door of the Mission Santa Cruz.
Source: www.catholicherald.co.uk
