Watch CBS News

Vandals Topple Junipero Serra Statue At Carmel Mission Where Newly-Sainted Friar Was Buried

CARMEL (CBS/AP) -- Vandals defaced a statue of Father Junipero Serra at the Carmel Mission, where the remains of the recently canonized missionary are buried.

Carmel Police Sgt. Luke Powell tells the Salinas Californian that vandals struck Saturday night, damaging statues, gravesites and signs and spewing green and white paint on doors.

Vandalism at the Carmel Mission
Vandalism at the Carmel Mission Basilica. (Carmel Mission photo via Facebook)

The Mission says a statue of Serra and other historic statues in the courtyard were toppled. Photos posted on the Mission's Facebook page show someone wrote "Saint of Genocide" on a stone.

On Friday, Pope Francis elevated Serra to sainthood. The 18th-century Spanish friar brought the Catholic faith to California

Many Native Americans say the missions cut their ancestors off from their traditional languages and cultures and enslaved those who converted to Christianity.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.