Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

1 Member of the National Catholic Welfare Con ference News Service Tikr J&nJtttin Official Organ of the Catholic Laymens Assoc iatkm<fGeorgia "TO BRI KG ABOUT A FRIENDLIER FEELING AMONG GEORGIANS. IRRESPECTIVE OF CREED*' r h a Only Catholic Newspaper Between Bal timore and New Orleans TEN CENTS A COPY. VOI- VIII. NO. 12. AUGUSTA, GA., JUNE 18, 1927. ISSUED SEMI-MONTHLY $2.00 A YEAR MANY ESSAY PRIZES Miss Alice McCann, Tampa, Among State Winners in National Republic Contest (By N. C. W. C. News Service) Washington.—Pupils of Catholic schools won more than.their share of the prizes in the National Re public’s essay contest on the Ameri can Constitution, results of which have just been disclosed. The con test attracted thousands of pupils from public, parochial and private schools, will) representatives from every state, Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. Cathode school pupils won second and fourth places in the “grand awards ’ for essays “submitted by any high school student of the United Slates or its possessions,” and fourth place in the “grand awards” for the graded schools. Awards were also made by states and in Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin, Catholic school pupils won first place among both the high school and graded school pupils. In j*'ifornia, Connecticut, Illinois and ...ar.vland pupils of Catholic schools were awarded first place for essays submitted by high school students. In the District of Columbia, Mass achusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and New York Catholic school pupils took first place among the graded school pupils. William Cullen McBride High school in St. Louis (Magna Cuni l.aude), Cathedral High School in Syracuse, New York (Magua Cum Laude), Campion Preparatory school at Prairie du Chien, Wis., St John’s Cathedral High School at Milwau kee and York Catholic High School at York, Pa, received honorable mention as “school submitting ex ceptionally fine exhibits.” In the ease of each award the teacher of the pupil is also cited. In some instances the teacher, too, will receive an award. The pupils winning the state prizes will re ceive medals and the school they at tend will he presented with flags. Henry H. Nieman of William Cul len McBride High School, St. Louis, whose teacher was Joseph E. Bitt- roff, S. M., received the second rank in the “grand awards.” Charles B. Cusliwa, Jr, of Campion Prepara tory School, Prairie du Chien, Wis, received fourth rank in these awards. His teacher was E. P- Murphy. Helen Knoebcl of St. Peter’s School, Slinger, Wis, was the Catho lic school pupil who won fourth rank in the “grand awards” for graded school students. Sister Ainel- berga was her teacher. Alice McCann of the Convent of the Holy Name School, Tampa, won th" slate award for high school pupils in Florida. She was taught by Sister Mary Teresa. There was no award for the grade schools in this state. In Louisiana, Marcel II. Bouby of the Jesuit High School, New Orleans taught by Father J. Cronan. S. J, and Lycester Trauth of St. Joseph’s School, Gretna, taught by Sister M Cornelia, won the high school and graded school awards, respectively, (Continued on Page 3) Bishop Jeanmard Describes Ruins Left in Wake of Mad Flood Waters U. S. Ambassador to France At Reopening of Basilica MANY CHURCHES SEIZED Catholic Edifices in Hundreds of Places Reported in Hands of Revolutionary Forces Mississippi Recedes Too Late to Plant Staple Crops He Says in Appeal for Homeless (By N. C. W. C. News Service) Washington— OathoJit churches and schools have been invaded and occupied by the Chinese Nationalists in literally hundreds of places in China, says a letter which has just reached here from a highly reliable source in China. “Everywhere mission activity is being made impossible,” says the letter. “They arc confiscating—or at least occupying—colleges, schools, churches, as far as wc kuow here, in several hundred places. “So, far two Catholic priests, and a much larger number of lay Ca tholics. have been killed, and the life of every missionary outside of Shanghai and Hongkong is in dan ger in places under Nationalist con trol. “All protests seeking to remedy matters only result in subterfuge, denials or empty promises from lo cal authorities. Successes, bolshe vik hatred of all religion, make them impervious to reason and to every sense of humanity.” Detailing known seizures of Ca tholic property, the writer says: “Bishop — reports 75 churches etc., occupied—practically confisca tion, because they will never give them back unless they have to.’ He then recites an instance where a Catholic college is now used as a military cadet school, and another where a large church and Sisters’ convent are occupied by soldiers. In another district, church property has been taken over by the farm ers’ union. In still others many native Christians, he says, are re ported to have been compelled eith er to apostatize or be killed. In two districts “about 30 places each” are reported occupied, and in a third “the same or a greater num ber,” In one large city several seiz ures are related, and in a certain province “it seems practically all places arc taken.” The Holy Family Convent at Nan king which recently was sacked after being riddled with bullets which endangered the lives of the nuns, is now occupied by GOO Nationalist troops. “So that one needs not hesitate to say,” the writer sums up, “that in several hundred places church property is invaded to serve as bar racks, cinemas, theaters, stables and worse. In many other places church property has been completely or partially destroyed. Wherever they gain control, altars are desecrated, serving most abominable purposes; sacred images and statues are used fob target practice.” The writer regards the communist menace in China as very dangerous, expressing the belief that Moscow’s aim is to win “first China, then In dia, Europe, the world.” He voices (Continued ou page 11.) Philadelphia Honors Catholic l atriots of Revolutionary Days By Rt. Rev. Jules B. Jeanmard. Bishop of Lafayette, La. (Telegraphed to N. C. W. C. News Service.) Lafayette, La.—With the crest of the flood slowly engulfing Morgan City, the last town of consequence in its path to the sea, and the wa ter slowly receding along the 115- mile front in the Diocese of I,afay- ette, some estimate can now be made of the extent ol the territory affect ed and the damage done. Eight church parishes—Labcau, Port Barre, Leonvillc, Arnaudville, Cecilia, Breaux Bridge, St. Martin- ville and Loreauville—with a total Catholic population of over 22000 were entirely submerged. Five others—New Iberia, with two churches, one of which is for the colored people, Jeanerette, Charen- ton, Baldwin and Patterson—had so much water in their streets that at least half their population sought refuge in other towns or camps, while their rural population was forced to look for shelter in the re fugee camps. The rural population in seven other parishes were also driven from their homes. Of the 60 parishes, 21 situated in the richest agricultural and most Catholic section were affected by the devastating flood. Of the 4,500 or more who were driven from their homes, no fewer than 40,000 arc Catholics. The great majority oi them are the descendants of brave and pious Acadians, who fleeing from persecution, had built their humble homes and found peace and plenty in the fertile soil in the picturesque country along the oak fringed banks of Bayou Teche. Longfellow could write long ago that ‘Those who live there call it the Eden of Louisiana, but sadly chang ed will the ruined Aeadiau refugees find it when they go back a month or two weeks hence to sec their homes swept away, wrecked or dam aged; their farms devastated; their cattle drowned or scattered over the plains of Louisiana or Texas, and their whole beautiful country defac ed and scarred by the swiftness ot the torrent that is seeping p tilessly through it. Courageous and undaunted and re signed to the will of the good Cod, they patiently wait for tnc waters to recede that they may go back and begin the work of reconstruction, confident that our great government and the wonderful Red Cross will somehow give them the necessary start. MEXICAN BISHOPS REFUTE CHARGES Myron T. Herrick. AD RHEIMS IS RESTORER Worship There Resumed on Cardinal Lucon’s Jubilee— U. S, Benefactors Lauded Until the churches, chapels and schools in the path of the flood are free from the water, no estimate can be made of the extent of the dam age. At the rehabilitation conference here last week, Mr. Hoover said that a peculiarly discouraging situation faced this section in that the waters would recede too late to permit the replanting of staple crops like cot ton, corn and cane. Our prostrate people will be able to do little towards their rehabilita tion and their maintenance for the next two years. Hence, I have join ed His Grace, Archbishop Shaw ol New Orleans, and the Bishop of Al exandria in an apepal to the gener- (Continucd on page 3) By M. MASSIANI (Paris Correspondent, N. C. W. C. News Service). Rheims.—Another milestone in the life of historic Rheims was passed on Ascension Day this year when Divine Worship was resumed in the high nave of the famous cathedral coincidentally with the celebration of the golden jubilee of the priest hood of Cardinal Lucon. This greater reopening of the fam ous basilica followed by a fortnight the scene wherciu M. Harriot, Minis ter of Education and Fine Arts, in the presence of Myron T. Herrick, American Ambassador to France, and others of the diplomatic corps, had given over the cathedral keys to the archbishop in the name of the Gov eminent. To this celebration, when the Church liturgieally took possession of the edifice, the faithful came from all parts of France. The correspond ent of the N. C. W. C. News Ser vice assisted. The cathedral is not only one of the wonders of the world, one of the most beautiful cre ations of human art, iuit it is also the most illustrious of the monu ments of France. Here the first Christian king, Clovis, received bap tism at the hands of Saint Remy; here all the kings were consecrated; here, on July 17, 1429, Joan of Arc, victorious, came to assist at the crowning of Charles VII. At the inauguration ceremony which brought together such a num ber of French notables. America had the place of honor, and this was only (Continued on Page 3) Revolution in Mexico Not Sponsored by Church, They Declare in Texas Statement Cafles Program Is Driving Thousands to This Country (By N. C. W. C. News Service Spe cial Correspondence). San Antonio^ Tex.—The majority of the people of Mexico repudiate the policies of Calles, which arc ‘‘anti- religious, unsocial and unpatriotic,” and the present drastic censorship is enforced over all Mexico by the Calles Government because it “fears that light of truth,” the exiled Bish ops of Mexico declare in a statement issued “to the Catholic people of Mexico” and made public here, where most of the Sxiled prelates arc stay ing for the present. Furthermore, says the statement, which is signed by a committee ot the Bishops, the Government is falsely representing the uprising now going on in Mexico in defense of liberty, especially before the American people. This it is doing, the Bishops charge, by making it ap pear that the armed movement is exclusively religious and fomented by the Church, whereas it is actual ly a struggle for the inalienable rights of man. It never has been and is not now, they assert, their intention to have recourse to arms in defense of the Church, and it is left to every man’s individual conscience to determine what is his right and his duly in the present case in Mexico. At the present outset, the Bishops once more repeat their vigorous de nial of the Calles story that they were given the option of facing trial in a court on charges of sedition, or leaving the country voluntarily, and that they chose the latter course. They again recount the circumstan ces of their summary deportation. The Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego is planning to erect twelve new churches to care for the Cath olic refugees from Mexico who are pouring into the Diocese by thou sands, it was revealed the first Sun day in June when a letter from Bishop Cantwell appealing for funds for the project was read in the churches. Ten years ago there were fewer than ten churches in the Dio cese devoted exclusively to Mexi cans; now there are 72, of which 23 were built in the last two years. Bishop Cantwell remarked in his let ter that wherever a church lias been provided for Mexican Catholics, it lvas invariably been supported gen erously by them and has been fruit ful of much good. Tiyo more Mexican Bishops have been deported by the Calles govern ment, these, like the others, sum marily and without legality. The number of exiled Bishops is now twenty-one; the number of Bishops left in Mexico is sixtee'n. The exiled Bishops have made provision for the carrying on of the work of tho Church, however; twelve vicars-gen- eral have been appointed in each case, the ranking vicar to liava charge if the Bishop is removed and the others to succeed down through the twelve in case the ranking vi cars are exiled. (By N. C. W. C. News Service) Philadelphia.—With fitting cere monies, two bronze tablets, com memorating Revolutionary days, -were unveiled May 30, on the Fourth street wall of St. Mary’s church, Fourth street, near Locust street, this city, one of the oldest Catho lic churches iu the United States. On the tablets is set forth the fact that in the church, on July 4, 1779, was held the first public re ligious commemoration of the Dec laration of Independence. In at tendance at the mass then sung were members of the Continental con gress, the president and official beads of the new government, offi cers of the Army and Navy and the French and Spanish ministers to the United States. The Revolutionary patriots hon ored at the mass lie buried in the church graveyard. They are Com modore John Barry, regarded as the -Father of the American Navy, who held commission No. 1 in that branch of the service, signed by President Washington, and who commanded the first warship owned by the colonies; Thomas F’itzSimons, one of Pennsylvania's signers of the constitution of the United States, a member of the Continental congress, and first to propose a protective tariff to cncqprage American labor; George Meade, grandfather of the general who commanded the Union army at Gettysburg; General Steph en Moylan, cavalry commander un der Washington and Matthew Carey, leading publisher of the Republic s early years, and a chief force in the formation of an American litera ture. Memories of these and oilier “com panions in arms of Washington and Lafayette” were recalled in an ad dress by Michael J. Ryan, former city solicitor. The ceremonies be gan with a solemn military mass in the church, at which the Rev. Ed ward A. Duff. U. S. N., (a priest of the diocese of Charleston) of the Lakchurst air station, was celebrant. After mass the tablets were unveil ed by the Misses May Coyle Towne and Ileon iaiwler, each 12 years old. 15,000 Flood Refugees At Outdoor Pontifical Mass (By N. C. W. C. News Service) Lafayette, La.—With a strange congregation of 15,000 dwellers in tents, the Rt. Rev. Jules R. Jean mard, Bishop of Lafayette, Sunday celebrated pontifical high mass iu the great flood refugee camp here. ’Ihe grandstand of the baseball park, where the sacrifice was of fered, was filled to overflowing. The first communion children sang the quaint, soul-stirring French hymns in use in the old Louisiana churches since their foundation. The Cathedral choir sang the mass. All the worshippers were from a single parish, as the Louisiana counties are called. It is St. Martin’s, which is inundated. The Very Rev. Canon Joseph Poeters, pastor of the historic church of St. Martinsville, preached an elo quent sermon in which lie recalled the heroic story of ihe Acadians and exhorted his hearers, descend ants of the Acadian exiles, to seek consolation and strength in the same old faith which was so dear to their forbears that they chose exile and poverty to be tree to practice it. (Continued on Page Eleven.) Cardinal, Episcopal Bishop, Rabbi brge Honor to Flag on Anniversary (By N. C. W. C. News Service) Washington.—Representatives of the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish churches have joined in an invitation to ministers of all creeds to take part in a fitting observance of the sesquic.entennial of the adoption of the American flag, says a state ment issued here by the United states F’lag association, whose head quarters are in Washington. Following is the joint statement, as given out by the association: “We heartily indorse the splendid plan of the United States Flag asso ciation headed by the President of the United States a s honorary pres ident, to commemorate this year in a big, nation-wide way, the sesqui- centcnnial of the adoption of the flag of our country. “As the three who were honored by. being selected" to represent the Protestant, Jewish and Catholic faiths on the hoard of Thirteen Founders of the United States Flag association, we earnestly invite the ministers of all creeds and denomi nations to join in fitting observance of the one hundred and fiftieth an niversary of the adoption of flic Stars and Stripes, and would sug gest that on the Sabbath nearest to Flag Day—that is, on Sunday. June 12 or on Saturday, June 11, for those to whom Saturday is Sabbath —the minds of their congregations dwell upon the flag of th c United States and the ideals, traditions, principles and institutions for which that flag stauds.” William Cardinal O'Connell, Arch bishop of Boston, who is one of the thirteen Founders of the Flag asso ciation is thc Catholic signer of the statement, having wired his indorse ment, according to Uj.e association. Tlie Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, Flpiscopal Bishop of Washington, is the Protestant signer, and Rabbi Abram Simon, of Washington, chair man of the Synagogue Council of i America, the Jewish signer.