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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
CATHOLIC CHAPEL AT GRIFFIN DEDICATED
(From The Griffin News, September 18th.
The reopening and dedication of Sacred Heart
Chapel on North Hill Street Sunday was well at
tended, the church being filled to capacity at both
the morning and evening services. The chapel has
been done over, beautiful and costly furnishings hav
ing been installed.
Solemn High Mass was held at 10:30 a. m., the
celebrant being Father Walsh, of Albany. Father
Moylan, of Atlanta, was deacon, with Father Marron,
of Atlanta , as subdeacon. The master of ceremonies
was Father McCarthy, of Savannah.
The sermon was by Father Mitchell, vicar general
of the Diocese of Savannah, his subject being “The
Church.” The vestments worn during Mass were of
gold cloth.
In the evening the sermon was by Father Moylan,
of Atlanta, whose subject was “The Seven Sacra
ments. After the sermon was the benediction of
the Blessed Sacrament, the celebrant for the bene
diction being Father Mitchell, V. G.
MACSWINEY AND THE GEORGIA PRESS
Here in Georgia the impression obtains that Irish
and Catholic are synonymous terms. It is common
to hear the anti-Catholic politician inveighing against
the Irish when it is apparent he means not the race,
but the religion of a majority of its members. There
fore, it is not unexpected that a few of the papers
have used the MacSwiney hunger strike as an excuse
to vent expressions of hatred for Catholicity. The
bureau has been careful not to let itself be drawn
into the MacSwiney controversy. A wide reading of
the Catholic press has shown a marked diversity of
opinion, both cleric and lay, regarding justification
of the course of the late Lord Mayor of Cork. At
times we have almost been overwhelmed with in
quiries about the moral questions involved. Nor have
we allowed ourselves to be drawn into controversy
with the editors about the Irish situation of itself.
For, despite popular Georgia opinion to the con
trary, the Irish question is not a religious one. There
are many non-Catholics who are champions of Irish
freedom, and there are as many Catholic Irishmen
opposed to it. But when the editors seemingly de
liberately drag in expressions unfair to Catholicity
when commenting upon the hunger strike, we feel
compelled to answer them. Of this kind was the re
cent attack by The Journal of Marietta, which was
copied in The Carroll Free Press, both of which were
brought to our notice. To both editors the following
letter, which, by the way, has neither been acknowl
edged nor reprinted in their papers, was sent:
(Copy)
Editor The Marietta Journal:
Your paper recently carried an article entitled,
“MacSwiney Greatest of Modern Fakes.” This was
reprinted in The Carroll Free Press and thus, from
two sources, has been brought to our attention.
Part of this article referred to Mayor MacSwiney,
who has since died, and whom, no doubt, you would
now hesitate to describe as “the greatest fake in
the world. However, our Association is not con
cerned with that. Another part of the article re
ferred to Catholics and the Pope. I quote the fol
lowing, which I wish you would read attentively:
The whole truth of the matter appears to be,
that since Austria and Italy became almost bankrupt
since the war, there is little ‘easy money’ to be bled
from the natives over there, and Mr. Pope Pius, the
Vatican head, desires to move farther westward, and
would like nothing better than to divorce Ireland
from England and light on the shore of the Emerald
Isle and take up his abode there, where he can keep
up the work of swiping the United States when An
archism, I. W. W.’s and Catholics enough have been
shipped into this country to give them the power
they long to have, but will never reach.”
That you yourself did not write this amazing string
of words, I feel quite sure. In both thought and con
struction they exhibit too much ignorance to be the
honest effort of any intelligent person. “The whole
truth of the matter” what matter; MacSwiney’s hun
ger strike? “appears to be” how appears? “that
Mr. Pope Pius desires to move” Pope Pius has been
dead six years; “and take up his abode” in Ireland—
yes, where there is “easy money.” But no ,it is not
easy money after all that this Pope who has been dead
six years wants; he wants to “swipe the United
States.” That is why MacSwiney would not eat in
Brixton prison. It is as clear as mud.
While I can not believe you are responsible for
such nonsense appearing in your paper, you ought to
have repudiated it long ago. I hope you will yet re
pudiate it, for it does no man honor to be silent
while the enterprise he heads is used as a tool of
ignorant hate to stir up enmity against his fellow-
citizens whose lives are not less upright than his
own.
Very truly yours.
BIBLE READING IN ROME PUBLIC
SCHOOLS BARRED.
Rome, Ga., Oct. 29. The city board of education
has unanimously decided not to have the Bible read
or prayers offered in the public schools, refusing the
petition of the Rome Ministerial Association. The
board said Bible reading might create sectarian ill-
feeling and injure the cause of religion.
Quarterly meetings of the branch associations are
not only desirable, but even necessary. Local offi
cers are asked to see that they are held.