Welcome to the  Oct. 14, 2020 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. Here are some of the social justice news items of the week. If this email was forwarded, and you'd like to receive it each week, please click here.     __________________________________________________________________

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone called for prosecution of vandals who knocked down and vandalized another statue of St. Junipero Serra--going onto the parish property of Mission San Rafael Arcangel, removing duct tape that was wrapped around the statue to protect it, dousing it with red paint and toppling it so just its feet remain attached to the pedestal.  San Rafael police announced that five people were later arrested on charges of felony vandalism and the case is now before the Marin County district attorney who will decide within about a week whether to prosecute them.  "We cannot allow a small unelected group of lawbreakers to decide what sacred symbols we Catholics or other believers may display and use to foster our faith. This must stop," the Archbishop said in a statement that cited Father Serra's role in protecting native peoples. "To look to Father Serra as the icon of oppression of the Indians is akin to doing the same with Abraham Lincoln and the institution of slavery in the United States."

Catholic News Agency reported yesterday here.

In reaction to the vandalism--which occurred on Oct. 12, California's Indigenous People's Day (formerly Columbus Day)--a group of Catholics rallied and prayed with pastor Father Luello Palacpac and parochial vicar Father Kyle Faller on the evening of Oct. 13 at the Mission, located on a main thoroughfare in San Rafael.  Father Faller spoke to the group and led the rosary.

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refused to call the abortion decision Roe v. Wade 'super precedent,' during the second day of Senate Judicial Committee hearings.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the full Senate will probably vote on the nomination on Oct. 22. Meanwhile, as Judge Barrett has seven children, it is appropriate that CruxNow reports on recent research into women with large families.