Post by Tomspy77 on Aug 4, 2015 21:04:22 GMT -6
‘Ghost Adventures’ back in Monterey over Serra controversy
Ghost44
Monterey >> The “Ghost Adventures” TV show is back in Monterey County, this time because of the controversy over the canonization of Father Junípero Serra.
The popular Travel Channel show, which researches alleged paranormal activity, was in Soledad two weeks ago at the Los Coches Adobe and are now filming at the Carmel Mission, New Monterey and San Jose. Host Zak Bagans said he believes the January announcement of Serra being made a saint has caused unrest among Native American spirits.
“I believe when you have that kind of controversy arise, and you have the energy from the protests where many of the ancestors are buried, it can throw a spark into the whole paranormal energy of the mission,” Bagans said.
There was a peaceful protest over Serra’s canonization at Carmel Mission on Easter Sunday that drew nearly 200 Native Americans from all over the country. There are several unmarked Native American graves on the site, and Bagans said he has learned through interviews that there are allegedly hauntings of an aggressive nature at the famous Catholic mission where Serra is buried.
Although credited with bringing Christianity to the western United States, Serra has been vilified by Native Americans who say the mission system was tantamount to genocide. Pope Francis will make him a saint on Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C., which means Serra is in heaven and able to intercede with God on the faithful’s behalf, according to Catholic teachings.
The crew was also filming at the site of a recently discovered Native American burial on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey. Bagans expressed concern about disturbing the grave. Testing found the skeleton was more than 4,000 years old.
After filming at the site Wednesday afternoon, the crew headed to San Jose to see where the bones are being held by Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation chairwoman Louise Miranda Ramirez.
Bagans said he had been trying for years to film at Carmel Mission and only recently got approval from the church.
“I think a lot of the Native Americans buried there didn’t want to be buried there,” he said.
Efforts to reach Diocese of Monterey spokeswoman Erika Yanez were unsuccessful.
Some historians say that of the approximately 310,000 Native Americans who lived in California when Serra started baptizing, less than one-sixth remained 100 years later, according to The New York Times.
“Ghost Adventures,” soon to begin its 11th season, has also filmed in Brookdale Lodge in Brookdale, Tor House in Carmel and Point Sur Lighthouse.
Bagans said he is drawn to Monterey County because of its older buildings and a spiritual connection with water, particularly Monterey Bay.
“I like the kind of ancient history here, the missions, San Carlos Cathedral,” he said. “… What draws me here is the hauntings. There are a lot of hauntings.”
Of course, the county has other benefits too.
“I love the weather and the fog. That’s the Dracula blood in me,” he said.
After its Soledad shoot, the crew flew back to the East Coast to film another episode before returning to Monterey County earlier this week. They will be here through Friday, Bagans said.
The episode is expected to air in two to three months, Travel Channel production manager Daniel Rohn said. The new season, also featuring the Soledad episode, starts Aug. 22 with an episode about Edinburgh Manor in Iowa.
Editor’s Note: Reporter Phillip Molnar was interviewed by the show based on past reporting on Native American remains.
Phillip Molnar can be reached at 726-4361.
The popular Travel Channel show, which researches alleged paranormal activity, was in Soledad two weeks ago at the Los Coches Adobe and are now filming at the Carmel Mission, New Monterey and San Jose. Host Zak Bagans said he believes the January announcement of Serra being made a saint has caused unrest among Native American spirits.
“I believe when you have that kind of controversy arise, and you have the energy from the protests where many of the ancestors are buried, it can throw a spark into the whole paranormal energy of the mission,” Bagans said.
There was a peaceful protest over Serra’s canonization at Carmel Mission on Easter Sunday that drew nearly 200 Native Americans from all over the country. There are several unmarked Native American graves on the site, and Bagans said he has learned through interviews that there are allegedly hauntings of an aggressive nature at the famous Catholic mission where Serra is buried.
Although credited with bringing Christianity to the western United States, Serra has been vilified by Native Americans who say the mission system was tantamount to genocide. Pope Francis will make him a saint on Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C., which means Serra is in heaven and able to intercede with God on the faithful’s behalf, according to Catholic teachings.
The crew was also filming at the site of a recently discovered Native American burial on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey. Bagans expressed concern about disturbing the grave. Testing found the skeleton was more than 4,000 years old.
After filming at the site Wednesday afternoon, the crew headed to San Jose to see where the bones are being held by Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation chairwoman Louise Miranda Ramirez.
Bagans said he had been trying for years to film at Carmel Mission and only recently got approval from the church.
“I think a lot of the Native Americans buried there didn’t want to be buried there,” he said.
Efforts to reach Diocese of Monterey spokeswoman Erika Yanez were unsuccessful.
Some historians say that of the approximately 310,000 Native Americans who lived in California when Serra started baptizing, less than one-sixth remained 100 years later, according to The New York Times.
“Ghost Adventures,” soon to begin its 11th season, has also filmed in Brookdale Lodge in Brookdale, Tor House in Carmel and Point Sur Lighthouse.
Bagans said he is drawn to Monterey County because of its older buildings and a spiritual connection with water, particularly Monterey Bay.
“I like the kind of ancient history here, the missions, San Carlos Cathedral,” he said. “… What draws me here is the hauntings. There are a lot of hauntings.”
Of course, the county has other benefits too.
“I love the weather and the fog. That’s the Dracula blood in me,” he said.
After its Soledad shoot, the crew flew back to the East Coast to film another episode before returning to Monterey County earlier this week. They will be here through Friday, Bagans said.
The episode is expected to air in two to three months, Travel Channel production manager Daniel Rohn said. The new season, also featuring the Soledad episode, starts Aug. 22 with an episode about Edinburgh Manor in Iowa.
Editor’s Note: Reporter Phillip Molnar was interviewed by the show based on past reporting on Native American remains.
Phillip Molnar can be reached at 726-4361.