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Controversy over the Canonization of Father Junípero Serra
On his visit to Washington in September, Pope Francis will canonize Father Junípero Serra, who founded the California missions. Some Native Americans are outraged, because their ancestors were brutalized by Spanish Catholics in the enclaves Serra established up and down the state.
By Warren Olney • • 24m ListenOn his visit to Washington in September, Pope Francis plans to canonize Father Junípero Serra, who founded the missions of California. Some Native Americans are outraged, because their ancestors were brutalized by Spanish Catholics in the enclaves Serra established up and down the state. We hear both sides of an argument over religion and colonial history.
Also, the Disneyland measles epidemic was fueled by a low rate of vaccinations. Now California legislators want to ban exemptions -- except for medical reasons. The first vote is scheduled tomorrow.
Photo: Junípero Serra statue at Mission Santa Inés (Ken Figlioli)
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2 storiesVaccine Exemption Ban Bill Begins Its Legislative Battle
To prevent an infectious disease from traveling takes a vaccination rate of 95%. The measles epidemic that started at Disneyland spread in areas where the rate was short of 50%. California is one of 20 states allowing exemptions from vaccinations for personal beliefs. Now some legislators are trying to change that.
Read the story7 minWas Father Serra a Saint or a Sinner?
Pope Frances has praised Father Junípero Serra as "the evangelizer of the West." On his September visit to Washington, the Pope plans to canonize the priest who founded California's mission system. California has two statues in the Capitol Building: Ronald Reagan's and Serra's.
Read the story17 min
