Newspaper Page Text
Serving
Georgia's 88
Southern Counties
Vol. 40, No. 21
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
MONROE, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1960
Published By The
Cathoiic Laymen's
Ass'n of Georgia
10c Per Copy — $3 a Year
Bishop McDonough Named To Savannah Diocese
THE CHANCERY
225 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia
Dearly beloved in Christ:
The news of my appointment as Bishop of Savannah
has been a source of great joy and genuine happiness to me.
For over three years I have been privileged to serve the
Catholics of this Diocese of Savannah as Auxiliary Bishop
with all the rights and duties of a residential Bishop. And
always I have found the priests, the religious and the laity
most docile and articulate in everything pertaining to our
Holy Faith. Consequently, when His Excellency, Archbishop
Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate in Washington, advised me that
His Holiness, Pope John XXIII, has graciously designed to
name me the tenth Bishop of this venerable See of Savannah
my immediate reaction was one of prayerful thanksgiving
to Almighty God and filial gratitude to the Vicar of Christ
on earth.
When Archbishop Gerald P. O’Hara resigned the Dio
cese of-Savannah, on November 11, 1959, because of the de
manding pressure of his manifold duties in London, I was
elected Administrator of the D iocese until a new Bishop-
Ordinary was appointed by the Supreme Pontiff. Arch
bishop O’Hara, for almost twenty-five years, ruled the Dio
cese of. Savannah with outstanding and unprecedented suc
cess. He brought to the Episcopacy of Georgia great scholar
ly talents, astute administratorship and the innate ability
of giving himself unstintingly to the priests and people con
fided to his care. In the divine economy of events I fervently
pray that I shall, in some small measure, be capable of con
tinuing and expanding the wonderful sacrificial work which
he so inspiringly accomplished in this great State of Georgia.
Tire Diocese of Savannah is uniquely missionary in cha
racter. It embraces' 37,000 square miles and contains 88
counties. The Catholic census numbers less than 30,000, or
approximately D/2% of the entire population. With complete
confidence in God and an abiding faith in the spiritual com
petence of my people I am optimistic about the future.
Through God and the intercession of Mary, His Immaculate
Mother, all things can be accomplished.
With a conscious recognition of my inabilities, I accede
to the Bishopric of Savannah in response to the wishes of His
Holiness, Pope John XXIII, filled with an awesome depend
ence upon my people for prayer in my new responsibility.
My only announced program is the same v/hich I voiced
three years ago when I came among you. This program is to
preach the love of God which must be manifest among all
people if we are to attain peace of heart and unity among
nations.
My joy in accepting the Church of St. John the Baptist
as my Cathedral fills my heart with indescribable happiness.
This beautiful edifice which is synonymous with the Catho
lic Faithu.in the Diocese of Savannah would quicken any
Bishop’s heart with new life. Naturally, my interest in the
renovation and redecoration program will continue with re
newed devotion.
Finally, I voice an appreciative act of gratitude for the
many and wonderful expressions of congratulations which I
have received from every parish in the Diocese. The prayers
promised me by the priests, religious and laity of the Diocese
have given me much hope in the new duties imposed upon
me. Upon all of you I invoke God’s blessings:
May the Lord bless thee and keep thee;
May He show His face to thee and have mercy upon thee;
May He turn His countenance to thee and give thee peace,
May the Lord bless + thee:
Amen
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Bishop of Savannah
HISTORY
OF DIOCESE
The new Bishop of Savannah,
is the 10th to guide the 109,-
year-old Diocese, whose 25,700
Catholics constitute about one
per cent of the population in 88
southern Georgia counties.
Up until 1956, the venerable
Savannah See embraced all of
Georgia, but four years ago
Pope Pius XII took some 22,-
000 miles from it and created
the Diocese of Atlanta, which
today has about 27,000 Catho
lics.
Some 70 priests are active in
the Savannah diocese, serving
in 30 parishes scattered across
the diocese’s 36,346 square miles.
Previous spiritual leaders
have included a prelate who
became a member of the Sacred
College of Cardinals, and one
-— the immediate past Bishop—
who has spent more than a de
cade in the service of the Holy
See’s diplomatic corps.
The diplomat is Archbishop
Gerald P. O’Hara, presently
Apostolic Delegate to Great
Britain, whose career also in
cludes posts in Rumania, from
which he was expelled by the
Reds, and Ireland.
Archbishop O’Hara, who be
gan his diplomatic service in
1947, was Bishop of Savannah
for 24 years. He resigned his
Georgia post on November 11,
1959, but retained his position
in England.
The Bishop who became a
cardinal was Ignatius Persico,
O.F.M. Cap., an Italian who was
the fourth spiritual leader of
Georgia’s Catholics. He served
from 1870 to 1872 when he re
signed to return to Rome after
about five years of mission work
in this country.
In Italy he spent several
years carrying out missions for
the Vatican, primarily as its
representative to special events
overseas. He was created a car
dinal on January 16, 1893, and
died in Rome on December 7,
1895.
Savannah grew. out of the
Diocese of Charleston, S. C., of
which it was a part for 30 years.
When Charleston was establish
ed in 1820, Georgia had three
(Continued on Page 6)
Dispensation
From Law Of Fast
A dispensation from the
Lenten law of fast on March
I7th, Si. Patrick's Day, and
March 19th, St. Joseph's Day,
has been granted by His Ex
cellency, Bishop McDonough.
TENTH BISHOP OF SAVANNAH
Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, D.D., J.C.D,
- Priests, Religious and Laity alike rejocied at the announcement, two weeks ago,
that His Holiness, Pope John XXIII had appointed The Most Reverend Thomas J. Mc
Donough Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, succeeding Archbishop Gerald P. O’
Hara who resigned last. November.
Thus, Bishop McDonough, who has been with us for the past three years as Aux
iliary Bishop, became the tenth Ordinary of this Diocese which this year celebrates its
one hundred and tenth anniversary.
In a statement issued shortly after the Apostolic Delegate to the United States
had announced the news of his appointment, Bishop McDononugh said, “My only an
nounced program is the same which I voiced three years ago when I came among
you. This program is to preach the love of God which must be .manifest among all
people if we are to attain peace of heart an d unity among nations.” We know we speak
for everyone in the Diocese when we pledge continuous prayers that God will grant
to our new Bishop the grace, the strength and the years to see the realization of that
program.
We are certain, too, that priests, religious and laity join us in pledging our loy
alty, devotion and untiring efforts as co-workers in Christ with Bishop McDonough,
“Priest and Bishop and worker of good things—A Good Shepherd among the peo
ple.”
POPE APPOINTS FORMER
AfiXHiflllY AS ORDINARY
SAVANNAH — Two weeks ago, the day after THE
BULLETIN went to press, word was received at the Chan
cery that the Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough, Ad
ministrator ‘sede vacante’ of the Diocese of Savannah had
been appointed by His Holiness, Pope John XXIII, the tenth
Bishop of Savannah. The announcement came from the
Most Reverend Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Del
egate to the United States.
Bishop McDonough, prior to
his election on November 11,
1959 as Administrator of the
Diocese, upon the resignation
of Archbishop Gerald P. O’Hara,
had held the post of Auxiliary
Bishop of Savannah, to which
he was appointed in January
of 1957.
The new Ordinary was born
in Philadelphia, Penna., Decem
ber 5, 1911, the son of Michael
and the late Margaret Mary
McDonough. Two of the Bish
op’s brothers are priests, name
ly, Monsignor Martin J. Mc
Donough, Archdiocesan Director
of the Propagation of the Faith
in Philadelphia, and Father
William F. McDonough, Assist
ant Pastor of St. Colman’s Par
ish, Ardmore, Pennsylvania. His
other two brothers, James J.
and M. Francis, reside respec
tively in Los Angeles and
Springfield, Pennsylvania.
Bishop McDonough received
his early education in St. Aga
tha’s Parochial School and West
Catholic High School, both in
Philadelphia. He continued his
studies at St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary, .Overbrook, Pennsyl
vania, where he was ordained
to the Sacred Priesthood in the
Cathedral of Saints Peter and
Paul, on May 26, 1938, by His
Eminence, Dennis Cardinal
Dougherty, the late Archbishop
of Philadelphia.
Following ordination Bishop
McDonough was selected to
pursue Post graduate studies at
the Catholic University of
America, where he was award
ed the degree of Doctor of Ca
non Law, in June, 1941.
Bishop McDonough was then
loaned to the Diocese of St.
Augustine, in Florida, for the
purpose of setting up the Matri
monial Tribunal and the estab
lishment of the Diocesan Chan
cery. Orginally Bishop Mc
Donough was to remain in
Florida for two years. In reality
he served in Florida from June,
1941 until September 20, 1957,
at which time he came to Sa
vannah as Auxiliary Bishop.
Bishop McDonough filled many
important Diocesan offices in
St. Augustine. In addition to
being pastor in four parishes, he
also served as Chancellor and
Officialis of the Diocese, to
gether with many other assign
ments. In December, 1945 he
was appointed Vicar General of
the Diocese of St. Augustine and
placed in charge of that Dio
cese when Bishop Hurley was
appointed Regent to the Apos
tolic Nunciatupe in Belgrade,
Yugoslavia. Bishop McDonough
served as Administrator of the
Diocese of St. Augustine from
December, 1945 until June of
1951, at which time Archbishop
Hurley returned to St. Augus
tine.
On January 16, 1946, the new
Bishop of Savannah was ap
pointed a Domestic Prelate with
the title of Right Reverend
Monsignor, by His Holiness,
—
INSTALLATION
APRIL 27TH
Installation ceremonios for {
Birhop McDonough will take j
place on Wednesday, April 1
27th, at the Cathedral of St !
John the Baptist, Savannah, j
Installing prelate will be ]
The Most Reverend Egidio!
Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate j
to the United States.
the late Pope Pius XII. Then in
March of 1947 he was named
Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese
of St. Augustine. The consecra
tion of the new Bishop took
place in America’s oldest Par
ish, the Cathedral in St. Augus
tine. The consecrator was His
Eminence, the late Dennis Car
dinal Dougherty, the co-conse-
crat.ors were Bishop Emmet
Walsh, Bishop of Youngstown,
and Auxiliary Bishop J. Car-
roll McCormick of Philadelphia.
Bishop Ready, then Bishop of
Columbus, Ohio, preached the
sermon.
In early January, 1957, word
was received in Savannah that
Bishop McDonough had been ap
pointed the new Auxiliary Bish
op of this Diocese. Bishop Mc
Donough came to Savannah on
February 19, 1957, when he ar
rived at the Union Station he
was greeted by a large turnout
of priests and laity of this Dio
cese. The next day the Solemn
Installation as Auxiliary Bishop
took place in the venerable Ca
thedral of St. John the Baptist.
Bishop McDonoygh was sent
to Savannah to carry on the
spiritual and temporal needs of
the Diocese in the absence of
Archbishop Gerald P. O’Hara,
Apostolic Delegate in Great
Britain.
BUILDING PROGRAM CONDUCTED DURING PAST
A considerable expansion program has l/een carried on in the
Diocese of Savannah since the arrival of Bishop McDonough. Pres
ently every parish under his jurisdiction has either erected new build
ings or carried our needed expansion to existing facilities. The City
of Savannah itself has been foremost in this construction work. The
(See Photos on Page 6)
Bishop has dedicated himself not only to the building up of churches
but also of aiding the much needed school expansion program in
South Georgia.
Attached hereto is a list of the accomplishments since February,
1957 to the present time.
SAVANNAH DEANERY
City of Savannah
CATHEDRAL: Renovation and
restoration program inaugurated.
BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Combination school-auditorium-
gymnasium constructed.
NATIVITY: New Elementary
School constructed and opened
in September, 1959.
Acquisition Bishop’s House, 1
Edgewood Road.
Construction of New Chan
cery Building, 225 Abercorn
Street.
Foundation of Carmelite Mon
astery, Our Lady of Confidence.
Opening of St, John Vianney
Minor S e m i n a r y-Grimball’s
Point.
Reopening after extensive re
pairs, alterations and additions
to Camp Villa Marie.
Extensive repairs to St.
Mary’s Home.
Dedication St. A n t h o n y’s
Church.
Large addition to St. Vin
cent’s Academy now under
construction.
Additions to St. James School
now being built and construc
tion of Chapel-Auditorium.
Purchase of large tract of
land for eventual relocation of
Benedictine High School.
City of Brunswick
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER: New
Elementary School constructed.
St. Mary's, Ga.
OUR LADY STAR OF THE
SEA: New church constructed.
AUGUSTA DEANERY
City of Augusta
Opening of Aquinas Catholic
High School.
Construction of residence for
Brothers at Aquinas High
School.
ST. JOSEPH: Construction of
Madona Parish Hall. New Rec
tory now under construction.
IMMACULATE CONCEP
TION: Construction of Cafe-
torium and additions.
ST. MARY: Construction un
derway for building of new St.
Mary’s Elementary School.
City of Dublin
IMMACULATE CONCEP
TION: Acquisition of three im
proved pieces of land.
Swainsboro
Acquisition of church site.
Melter
Acquisition of church site.
Waynesboro
Acquisition of church site.
Millen
Acquisition of church site.
Glennville
Acquisition of church site.
Vidalia-Lyons
Acquisition of church site.
Statesboro
ST. MATTHEW: Convent
purchased.
Sylvania
OUR LADY OF ASSUMP
TION: New church, rectory and
parish hall constructed.
Claxton
ST. CHRISTOPHER: New
church, rectory and parish hall
constructed.
COLUMBUS DEANERY
City of Columbus
OUR LADY OF LOURDES:
South Columbu s-provisional
church and rectory. Construc
tion and progress of school and
convent.
HOLY FAMILY: Purchase of
more property for expansion at
school site. Construction and
dedication of new Pacelii High
School. Construction and dedi
cation School of Nursing, St.
Francis Hospital.
ST. BENEDICT: Construction
and dedication combination
church and hall.
Cily of Macon
High School opened for boys
in conjunction with Mount de
Sales Academy. Construction
underway for expansion of Mt.
de Sales High School.
Warner Robins
SACRED HEART: New school
and convent constructed. Addi
tion now being added.
Perry
Purchase of property for mis
sion church.
City of Albany
ST. TERESA: Construction of
new church and rectory. Addi
tion to school.
City of Valdosta
ST. JOHN: Construction of
new school. Plans underway for
building of new convent.
Bainbridge
ST. JOSEPH: Construction of
church and parish Hall.
Douglas
ST. PAUL: Purchase of im
proved piece of property for
future use at Cathechetical Cen
ter, to be opened September,
1960.
Americus
ST. MARY: New friary con
structed and dedicated.
Moniezuma
ST. MICHAEL: New church
dedicated.
NEW PARISHES CANONI
CALLY ESTABLISHED
Our Lady of Assumption-
Sylvania.
St. Benedict’s-Columbus.
St. Joseph’s-Augusta.
Our Lady of Lourdes- Colum
bus.
program is the new Chancery Building dedicated in 1959.