The book is much larger than the Missions story. It as well gives a detailed historical context for the California Missions. Highly readable and interesting, it is well organized and referenced. In any secular setting, Father Serra and many of his cohort might be functional psychopaths, but because of their religious context, they got a pass, at least to a great extent. You expect religion to mitigate evil, not amplify it.
Actually, Father Serra's instincts in another time seem to parallel those of ISIS and other current religious extremists in an emphasis on afterlife at the expense of carnal hell on Earth, "Serra frequently proclaimed, 'Thanks be to God that by now there is not a mission that does not have sons in heaven.'" Baptize them quick and get them to the afterlife ASAP. Forget about the Golden Rule, or at least as most people would understand it, since the sooner the Indian charges die, the sooner their baptized souls can ascend to heaven to fulfill the good Father Serra's delusions.
I figure Pope Francis is taking a page from the American politics playbook - "play to the base" - in canonizing Father Serra. There are far more Catholics than Indians, so playing to the base means declaration of sainthood for Father Serra. It looks like a typical political power play for the larger base - Catholics vs. Indians - exactly as commonly unfolds in everyday US politics. Same deal. The history and feelings of Indian groups don't matter much because they comprise much smaller numbers than the Catholic base. Pope Francis seems to be far more progressive than his predecessors, but politics and power may get prioritized as always.
As for Serra's whipping fetish, I've read a great deal of Russian history, and a major complaint of the serfs was frequent whippings. In many cases these were carefully logged just as in the case of the Missions. So using the whip to assert power and control may represent a universal human frailty across all times and cultures. However, in both the Russian and California Mission cases, you might expect religion (viz. also the Russian Orthodox Church) to mitigate suffering and foster human development, not the exact opposite.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's readable, thorough, and enlightening.
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A Book for American History Education
I read Elias Castillo's "A Cross of Thorns" multiple times. The history of the indigenous peoples of California during the Mission Era was an eye opener...the information he shared was never addressed in my primary, secondary or college education or my children's education either. I met and interviewed Castillo for a documentary film I produced in 2019. He spoke in depth about his research, pointed me to various public archives, and connected me with other experts, including Native Californians and faculty at leading universities. Castillo devoted well over a decade to researching and writing his book and doing speaking engagements. Right up until his passing, earlier this year, he devoted himself to reaching as many people as possible with the truth about the oppression and injustice suffered by the First Peoples of California. What happened on the Missions is defined today by the United Nations as genocide. This book is well-written and footnotes are provided on the same page as the referenced content. The author allowed his passion for truth in history to come through, and that was a good thing, because it's hard for all of us to look at the darkest parts of our history. Castillo wanted to see a more accurate and balanced teaching of California history and he called on California public schools at every level to make it happen. Teachers are responsive, but systemic change is still needed. Castillo's message is more relevant than ever today.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
A Book for American History Education
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
I read Elias Castillo's "A Cross of Thorns" multiple times. The history of the indigenous peoples of California during the Mission Era was an eye opener...the information he shared was never addressed in my primary, secondary or college education or my children's education either. I met and interviewed Castillo for a documentary film I produced in 2019. He spoke in depth about his research, pointed me to various public archives, and connected me with other experts, including Native Californians and faculty at leading universities. Castillo devoted well over a decade to researching and writing his book and doing speaking engagements. Right up until his passing, earlier this year, he devoted himself to reaching as many people as possible with the truth about the oppression and injustice suffered by the First Peoples of California. What happened on the Missions is defined today by the United Nations as genocide. This book is well-written and footnotes are provided on the same page as the referenced content. The author allowed his passion for truth in history to come through, and that was a good thing, because it's hard for all of us to look at the darkest parts of our history. Castillo wanted to see a more accurate and balanced teaching of California history and he called on California public schools at every level to make it happen. Teachers are responsive, but systemic change is still needed. Castillo's message is more relevant than ever today.Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015
