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16 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.