The bulletin (Augusta, Ga.) 1920-1957, October 01, 1921, Image 2

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2 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA It was to this wooden structure, partly residence, partly Church, that the Rev. Theobald Butler, S. J., came in 1884, accompanied by Fathers Desribes and Joseph Heidenkamp. Father Butler at once began to collect funds for the building of the little brick Church, now 1 the college hall. He was enthusiasti cally assisted by such men as William Mulherin, Patrick O’Callaghan, Capt. E. J. O’Connor and John Armstrong. The work was soon accomplished. Hardly was the little Church completed in 1890 when its pastor, Rev. Theobald Butler, S. J., was called to New Orleans and made head of all the Southern Jesuits. He was succeeded as pastor by Rev. John O’Shanahan, S. J. In 1885 we read of one of the Jesuit Fathers pronouncing the solemn vows in the Church in the presence of Rev. Henry Begley, who had succeeded Father O’Shanahan. In 1886 Rev. James Lonergan, S. J., who had been for some years vice-president of Spring Hill College, Alabama, was transferred to Augusta. After two years pastorate at the Sacred Heart Church he was appointed President of Spring Hill College, and was succeeded as pastor by Rev. David McKiniry, S. J. Under the pastorate of the Father McKiniry, the Sacred Heart Cadets were organized, the only corps of its kind in the Southern States. It took part in all the festivals of the Church and was active as well in the military life of the city. Organizations of a similar character was formed by them in Savannah and Macon. Father McKiniry in 1890 exchanged places with Rev. John O’Connor, S. J.. rector of the old Jesuit College in New Orleans. Father O’Connor was suc ceeded as pastor of the Sacred Heart Church in 1891 by 'Rev. Thomas O’Callaghan, S. J. In 1896 Rev. James Lonergan. was reinstated as Pastor. Assisted by Rev. Theobald Butler, he under took to comply with the wishes of the people, to erect a greater and more magnificent structure in honor of the Sacred Heart. Within two years, sufficient means were at hand to start the new edifice. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Becker in 1898. Rev. John O’Shanahan now returned to Au gusta, and after procuring the stained-glass win dows and marble altar, prepared the day of dedica tion. The Church was dedicated in the fall of 1900. The dedication ceremony was performed by the late lamented Cardinal Gibbons, assisted by Bishop Keiley and other prelates. During the Solemn Pon tifical Mass, the Sacred Heart Cadets, under the leadership of Captain Rice, K. S. G., presented arms at the time of the consecration. His Eminence, the Cardinal, after the ceremony, attended a meeting of the cadets and thanked them and their leader for act ing as his guard of honor. In 1902. Father O’Shanahan was succeeded by Rev. William Wilkinson, S. J., who is at present pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Macon. In 1907, the Rev. John Sherry, S. J., was appointed pastor. Under Father Sherry took place the conse cration of the Church. Bishop Haid of Belmont, N. C., was the consecrator. Bishop Northrop of Char leston, sang the Pontifical High Mass, while Bishop Keiley assisted on the throne. The preacher at the Mass was Father John Reville, S. J., and in the even ing there was an eloquent discourse by the 'Rt. Rev. Bishop Keiley of Savannah. At both morning and evening ceremonies the Sacred Heart Cadets did hon or to the occasion. In 1913, Father Sherry was succeeded by Rev. John M. Salter, S. J., who, in turn was succeeded in 1918 by Rev. P. A. Ryan, S. J. Father Rene Macready is at present in charge of the Sacred Heart Church, and Rev. C. A. McLaughlin, S. J., is also stationed there. INTOLERANCE AND PREJUDICE HARMING ATLANTA (FROM THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN) The Georgian feels sure Mayor James L. Key has saved this city from further harmful and un deserved criticism and advertising at home and abroad by his wise and patriotic veto of the resolu tion passed by council proposing an inquiry by the New York World into the activities of the Knights of Columbus hereabouts—especially as to a so-called “oath,” alleged to be the one taken in the fourth de gree of that order by all initiates. Every progress ive and clean-minded Atlantan should thank the mayor for his veto. The Georgian, in printing the news of the resolu tion a few days since, printed the alleged “oath” as set forth therein. It is a frightful and vicious thing —calculated to arouse even the most callous to right eous indignation and vehement resentment. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, HOWEVER, NO SUCH OATH EVER WAS ADMINISTERED TO ANY KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES: The thing merely is a lie—just a plain, straight way lie. Moreover, it is a lie hoary with age. It originated during the French Revolution, as part of a bitter anti-Catholic campaign, directed against the Jesuits. It was proven at that time to have been a forgery, pure and simple; it has been so proven, time and again, since. It has been repudiated and pronounced bogus by high Masonic committees, because it has been charg ed that Masons have encouraged its circulation. It has been denounced by non-Catholic organizations of various sorts; it has been specifically denied by the Knights of Columbus themselves, and the only time it ever appeared in the Congressional Record, from which it was “quoted” in the silly resolution passed by council demanding its investigation, was when it was written into the Record for the specific purpose of giving it official and categorical congres sional denial. The Knights of Columbus, to make the matter plain, has given out the real oath assumed by mem bers of that order. All of which has been set forth in detail by The Georgian. Let’s have an end to intolerance in this city. We want to live together happily and in peace in Atlanta. Let’s not advertise Atlanta abroad as narrow, bigoted, ignorant and mean. Let’s tell the world, AND PROVE IT, that Atlanta is a kind city—a city of real men and women—in viting visitors and business enterprises and resi dents to come here from other cities and sections, to dwell with us in comfort, happiness and good will—in unity, peace and comfort. We may have our differences of opinion; we should be a dull and dismal community, indeed, if we all agree about everything. We want our community to be known as a kind, considered, clean and progressive community. To the making of Atlanta a city free of intoler ance, bigotry and prejudice, Atlantans—let’s go!