The following is a statement by Father John Molyneux, CMF, Pastor of Mission San Gabriel regarding the relocation of St. Serra's statue.
"In light of the toppling of statues of St. Junipero Serra by activists across California in recent days, Mission San Gabriel has decided to relocate the bronze statue of Fr. Serra, which has stood outside the Mission church entrance since the 1980s, to a more appropriate location, out of public view. This decision was made after consultation with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and local and Archdiocesan representatives of the Native American community. Whereas the California Catholic Conference of Bishops reminds us that the historical truth is that St. Serra repeatedly pressed the Spanish authorities for better treatment of the Native American community, we recognize and understand that for some he has become a symbol of the dehumanization of the Native American community. We at Mission San Gabriel are committed to continuing dialogue with our Native American representatives in order to achieve a peaceful and just partnership."