Catholic School to Be Lions, Not Crusaders

Officials planning a Catholic school in San Juan Capistrano have changed the mascot to the Lions from the Crusaders.

Junipero Serra High School officials unveiled the mascot Monday: a lion leaping over the school’s logo, which reads “JSerra.”

Earlier this year, Muslim leaders and some school supporters raised concerns that Crusaders evoked images of bloody campaigns by Christian soldiers against Muslims in Europe and Asia in the Middle Ages.

Tim Busch, school founder and board chairman, said officials wanted “a team name that is a symbol of strength and pride to all people.”

The 1,800-student private school was to have opened next year, but land disputes with the school district and property owner have created delays.