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EIGHT
THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
MARCH 23, 1940
THE BULLETIN
The Official OrgaD of the Catholic Laymen’s
Association of Georgia
HUGH KINCHLEY, Editor
815-816 Lamar Building Augusta. Georgia
Subscription Price 82.00 Per Year
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 1939-1940
DR. J. REID BRODERICK, Savannah President
BERNARD J. KANE, Atlanta 1st Vice-President
J B McCALLUM. Atlanta Secretary
THOMAS F. WALSH, K. S. G., Savannah Treasurer
HUGH KINCHLEY. Augusta Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY. Augusta, Asst Exec. Secretary
A. M. McAULIFFE. Augusta Auditor
Vol. XXI March 23. 1940 No. 2
Entered as second class matter June 15. 1921, at the Post
Office at Augusta. Ga_ under act of March, 1879. Ac
cepted for mailing at special rate of postage provided
for in Section 1103. Act of October 3. 1917. authorized
September 1 1921
Member of N. C. W. C. News Service the Catholic Press
Association of the United States, the Georgia Press
Association and the National Editorial Association.
Published monthly by the Publicity Department
with the Approbation of the Most Rev. Bishops of
Raleigh. Charleston. Savannah. St Augustine and Nash
ville and of the Rt Rev Abbot Ordinary of Belmont.
Easter
< (* I 'HIS is the day that the Lord hath made, let us
J rejoice and be glad therein.”
In a world where nation is waging war against'nation,
and the threat of a world-embracing conflict sheds its
shadow; and the sword of the persecutor is lifted against
the Church, there could be no response to the words of
the Psalmist, repeated in the Easter Mass, if the Festi
val of the Resurrection were not a festival of hope.
Because those who have professed Faith in the Resur
rection of Jesus Christ have been rewarded with the gift
of that other Divine Virtue—Hope, rrtrs-r-ssb even
when the world is suffering another crucifixion, there
can yet remain cause for troubled hearts to be glad.
And we may in Faith, and with Hope, rejoice that a
Risen Saviour will roll away the stone that encloses the
hearts of the world.
A State Aroused
N O EVENT occurring within the borders of the State
of Georgia in many years has aroused the indigna
tion of its citizens more that the disclosure that • the
brutal flogging to death of an East Point barber was the
climax of a reign of terror that had prevailed in sections
of Fulton County.
The effort which is being made by the office of the
Solicitor General of Fulton County to bring the perpe
trators of the outrages to justice, and the vehement ex
pressions of Georgia newspapers indicate that it is the
sentiment of the people of Georgia that the lives and
property of citizens must, and shall be protected, and
the good name of the State spared from such defama
tion in the future.
Editorial comment throughout the State has been wide
spread and voluminous, and it is possible to quote but
scatt“-ed portions.
The Augusta Chronicle states; “Georgians will not rest
until something is done to assure them that self-appoint
ed vigilante bands, who take the law into their own
hands, can no longer function in Georgia.”
The Atlanta Constitution declares editorially: “It is
unnecessary to state that every decent man and woman
will demand that nothing be left undone which might
uncover the perpetrators of the flogging outrage.” Ralph
McGill, in his column in the same paper writes, “Any
hooded, secret organization is more dangerous to the
community than the worst submersive forces which the
masked organizations set themselves up to combat.”
The Brunswick News declares: “Cow'ardice reaches a
detestable n.aximum when an armed band of hoodlums
attack an unarmed man in the darkness and use their
superior strength to overcome him.”
The Atlanta Journal states: “Official of the Ku-Klux-
Klan have condemned these outrages and have promised
that any of their members found guilty thereof shall be
banished from the ‘empire’. But the greatest service the
Ku-Klux Klan now could render the cause of justice
and true Americanism would be to banish once and for
all the disguises in which they are accustomed to parade.
Thereby they would strip the Terror of one of its read
iest devices and would wash their own hands of re
proach.”
Concluding an editorial titled “Deputy Sheriffs in
‘Night Shirts’,” the Macon Telegraph says: “To what
extent this same condition prevails elsewhere wo do
not know, but it is certain that the people of Georgia
will not be content until the perpetrators of the inhuman
murder and the less serious flogging around Atlanta
have been punished in such a way that they will become
an example for all time to come.”
It is clear and evident that the right-minded vast ma
jority of Georgia citizens are determined that no small
malicious group shall tear down the pillars of Wisdom,
Justice, and Moderation, which support the Constitution
of Georgia. .
BISHOP ENGLAND, who was unquestionably the
foremost ecclesiastic in the Catholic Church of the
United States during the years he presided over the Dio
cese of Charleston, which at that time included under its
jurisdiction both the Carolinas and Georgia, declared in
a discourse delivered before the Hibernian Society of
the City of Savannah, on March 17, 1924: “May God
long preserve the liberties of America from any union
of any church with any state! In any country, with
any religion it is an unnatural increase of the power of
the executive against the liberties of the people.”
A Year Has Passed
D URING March of 1939 His Eminence Eugenio Cardi
nal Pacelli became His Holiness Pope Pius XII.
A year has bassed. A year which has brought dis
tress and war to nations, and even a fear for civilization
itself.
Above the turmoil and chaos we have seen, more
plainly than in many years, a world, or at least the sober
thought of the world, turning with increasing hope to
the Papacy as the power that may restore peace and
order to the world.
We have seen the President of the United States, in
his efforts toward peace and to alleviate the sufferings
of mankind, send a personal representative to the Vati
can. We have seen within the last few days, Herr Hit
ler sending the Nazi Minister of Foreign Affairs to the
Vatican. We have seen the rulers of other nations seek
his counsel.
During the first year of his pontificate the present
occupant of the Chair of Peter has endeared himself to
those among whom he holds the place of Spiritual Fath
er. Like his illustrious predecessor, Pope Pius XI, he
has been accorded exceptional recognition by the public
press, hardly a day passing without some mention of
him being made in the secular, as well as the religious
press.
A man of deep faith and holiness, a renowned stud
ent, an able diplomat, an individual of profound cul
ture, exhibiting indomitable energy, he has been notable
in his leadership, fittingly dependent upon and repeat
ing ancient truths taught by the Church, and alert to
apply them with rare judgment to the vexing problems
of a tempestuous era.
In the light of his accomplishments, in the brief span
of twelve months, he has earned the devoted affection
of those of his own Faith, won as well the admiration
and esteem of those of other beliefs the world over, and
well may it be written that Pius. XII is gloriously reign
ing.
Drawing Conclusions
I T IS NOT that The Bulletin wishes to signal out The
Christian Index for special attention, but rather be
cause that publication seems to be the one that the
Catholic Church disturbs the most. '
An editorial in its issue dated March 7, 1939 says:
“Headquarters of the United States Navy publishes a
bulletin for the service, copies of which are mailed to
The Index, the most recent of which announced: ‘Chapel
Dedication. The New Post Chapel at Devens, Massachus
etts, was dedicated February 4, with many prominent
clergymen of the Catholic Church, including the Most
Rev. J. F. O’Hara, recently appointed Bishop Auxiliary of
the Army and Navy Diocese; and the Most Rev. Richard
J. Cushing, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, participating in
the ceremony. The chapel, thirty by ninety feet, was
built by salvaged timber with W. P. A. labor. Dona
tions of different individuals furnished the interior.’ An
nouncement of the appointment of Bishop O’Hara as
Bishop Auxiliary of the Amy and Navy was recently
published in the Catholic and secular press. Readers of
The Index will draw their own conclusions.’”
The Editor of The Bulletin read the quotation above
and concluded that a Post Chapel, constructed by W. P.
A. labor, from materials salvaged or donated, had been
dedicated, and two Catholic prelates, one the Auxiliary
Bishop of the Army and Navy Diocese, had participated
in the ceremony.
No conclusion was reached as to whether the chapel
would be used exclusively for Catholic services, since
the article did not specifically say so, nor did we con
clude that the occasion contained any threat to the
American principle of separation of Church and State, in
defense of which The Index so often rises.
We might conclude that the government of the United
States, as in the past, still believes that the men of its
armed forces, in, peace and in war, should be given op
portunity to practice their religion, as they did in civil
life, be they Catholic, Protestant,*or Jew.
If this be treason, some other reader of The Index must
draw that conclusion.
Worthy in Purpose
F ROM the office of Frank C. Goodman, Executive Sec
retary of the Department of Radio of The Federal
Council of Churches of Christ in America there has
come a press release which announces a nation-wide
radio campaign “to check misunderstanding, fostered by
hate propaganda in the United States, with the stress on
better cooperation among religious and social groups,”
is being launched by the Federal Council, which rep
resents 143,000 churches throughout the country.
The primary aim of the campaign, according to Samuel
McCrea Cavert, General Secretary of the Federal, Coun
cil, is “to lay essential facts before the American public,
in order that, through an educated public opinion, we,
as a people, may profit from the example of many less
fortunate European peoples living in countries where
’democracy has been destroyed by tactics that include the
fomenting of racial and religious hatred and oppression.”
The Bulletin, published by the Catholic Laymen’s As
sociation of Georgia, dedicated to bringing about a
friendlier feeling among neighbors, irrespective of creed,
certainly welcomes this Protestant effort which appears
to be striving for similar purposes.
When Hitler, whose avowed ambition is to drive Chris
tianity from Germany, and Stalin, intent on driving the
very idea of God from the world, can submerge their
mutual aversion to present a common front against God
and religion, it is time for those who stand as friends
of God, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish, to unite against
the foes of religion and those who would foster hatred
among mankind. ,.n_ — ii-
Dixie Musings
Because it is in such striking con
trast to the widely publicized com
ment of an Atlanta minister regard
ing the address made by Archbishop
Spellman upon the occasion of his re
ceiving the pallium last week, the fol
lowing editorial appearing in The New
York Herald Tribune is quoted in its
entirety:
A UNION OF ENDEAVOR
The address of Archbishop Spell
man in St. Patrick’s Cathedral upon
the occasion of his investiture, was
such an eloquent statement of faith in
America and in American institutions
that it deserves to be recalled and
stressed. Misunderstandings across the
boundaries of religious faith are easy
to awaken. Here was a statement, ad
mirable in tone and temper, and so
completely loyal in its pledge, as to
clear the air of any possible doubt or
suspicion by the prejudiced.
This community has hardly had
time' to become acquainted with the
new Archbishop. His recent utterance
was in the nature of a broad profes
sion of faith and if addressed primar
ily to his own flock, was plainly in
tended for a wider audience. The sim
plicity and forthrightness of his ap
pearance were echoed in his phrase
ology. But there was also a warmth
of expression that gave his sentences a
singularly moving quality. It is good
for every American, regardless of
what his religious faith may be, to
hear “our fundamental liberties” de
scribed as “flaming jewels in our
frame of government”. We all need to
“reaffirm” our “faith in America and
American institutions” and in “the
fundamental righteousness of our
Constitution.” The moral basis of the
republic never needed retelling more
urgently than today.
It was on the note of peace that the
Archbishop ended—quoting the singu
larly beautiful prayer of St. Francis of
Assisi beginning “Lord, make me an
instrument of Thy peace!” His own
phrase, “a union of endeavor, if not
in belief,” of all those who are “on
the side of right and justice,” seemed
a peculiarly apt definition of his
whole thesis. Such a unity is gravely
needed within America as among the
nations- It is a precious thing to the
community to have this sense of com-
ntSh effort upheld so wisely and no
bly from St. Patrick’s Cathedral—let
creeds vary as they may.
Perhaps it is better to refrain from
saying how many, but years ago when
the Editor of The Bulletin was a
student at old St. Patrick’s Commer
cial Institute, in Augusta, he was
one of hundreds of Augusta boys,
now advanced in manhood, who re
spected and admired Brother Basil,
who served as teacher and principal
during ten of the years that the fa
mous old school was conducted by the
Christian Brothers.
This month Brother Basil observed
the 50th anniversary of his profession
in the great order of teachers estab
lished by St- John the Baptist de La
Salle.
Brother Basil’s influence still re
mains in the lives of those who as
boys came under his guidance, -and
with the great number of his former
pupils in Augusta, who hold him in
fond remembrance, we extend con
gratulations to Brother Basil on the
occasion of his Golden Jubilee, and
pray that he will be granted many
more years to be spent in the ser
vice to which he has so productively
and unselfishly devoted fifty years
of his life.
At Willard, Ohio a group of adults
and youths from the Sunday School
of the Steubenville Congregational
Church, accompanied by the Rev.
Selden C. Dickinson, Jr., their pastor,
attended Sunday afternoon Lenten
services at St. Francis Xavier’s
Church.
Before starting the services, the
pastor, the Rev- John B. Fralick,
gave a thirty-minute explanation of
the devotions. Following the services
the visitors were taken on a inspec
tion of the church.
During Religious Emphasis Week,
which ended February 23, Iowa State
Teachers’ College extended an invita
tion to a Catholic priest to lecture
and to explain to the students the
teachings of the Catholic Church. It
is reported .that the discussion of the
doctrines and practices of the Church
was given enthusiastic reception.
Through experience gained during
the quarter-century of its existence,
the Catholic Laymen’s Association of
Georgia has discovered that most of
the antagnoism toward the Church
is due to lack of knowledge of what
Catholics really believe and a mis
understanding of Catholic principles.
Undoubtedly the explanation given
to the non-Catholic students of the
Iowa College did much toward re
moving misunderstandings that were,
perhaps, the basis for prejudice.
Along the same line, it is interest
ing to read in The Register that in
York, Nebraska, Protestant churches
are having Lenten services for the
first time as the result of a call
made upon the Right Rev. Monsignor
L. L. Mandeville by several mem
bers of the Ministerial Association,
who asked for ideas concerning the
penetential session, to which Mon-
signor Mandeville responded with an
article in the local newspaper ex
plaining the mind of the Church re
garding the season of Lent and the
purpose of penance.
In the same city, the First United
Lutheran Church started a Protestant
novena, a service that originated in
the Irving Park Lutheran Church in
Chicago.
Richard Reid, who needs no fur
ther introduction to readers of The
Bulletin, was the principal speaker
at the celebration commemorating the
Centennial of Printing, held at St.
Bonaventure College, Buffalo, New
York, several weeks ago. Mr. Reid's
topic was “Ethics in Newspapers”.
In a recent issue of the parish pub
lication issued by St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church, in Augusta, the rector, the
Reverend John E Hines, said in his
message to its readers that the "re
moval from our midst of Richard Reid
and Rabbi Leiser within the short
space of a year constituted a body
blow to the fellowship of Jews and
Christians in the city of Augusta.”
Construction of a church, to be ded
icated to St. Joseph, is expected to
begin shortly at the Cherokee Indian
Reservation, in North Carolina.
The reservation is at the entrance
of Great Smoky Mountains National
Park which will be formally opened
by President Roosevelt during the
year. A plot of ground facing the
gateway of the park, has been set
aside for the church.
None of the 3,500 Cherokees now on
the reservation is a Catholic, the few
Catholic Indians on the reservation
being from tribes located in the West.
Some of the teachers on the reserva
tion are Catholics and it is through
their influence that the superintend
ent of the reservation is co-operating
in the effort to erect a church in a
territory which has no Catholic
Church.
There is something startling and
much that is pathetic in an article
entitled “Spoilers of Vines Within
the Vineyard”, by Brooks Hillary
Stewart, which appeared in a recent
issue of “America”.
Mr. Stewart, who is a convert, be
gins his article with the statement that
with the joys and hardships that fol
low reception into the Church, there
comes shock and bewilderment. He
relates the efforts that he was required
to make to defend the Faith against
his family, and how by patient en
deavor he had succeeded in bringing
them to regard Catholicism as sim
ply another religion, and not, as they
had believed before, the sink of greed
and superstition, though he had not
yet been able to bring his relatives
to see the Church as he saw her.
He said that it had been a hard job
to penetrate their old hostility and
untangle the web of misinformation
in which they were bound, but with
the feeling that if they knew the facts
about the Church the barrier of prej
udice would be removed, he had per
sistently corrected every misstatement
he recognized.
What shocked and startled him.
however, was to find, from personal
experiences, which he cites, that
Catholics themselves, pious Catholics
at that, were dispensers of distorted
Catholic doctrines. Those whose un
enlightenment concerning Catholic
doctrines and practice was bad in
themselves, but much worse when
promulgated to others who would give
credence because the distortion of
fact came from one who was a Cath
olic and on that account might be
considered a source of correct in
formation.
According to Mr. Stewart, it is small
wonder that so many Protestants and
unbelievers store in their minds false
hoods and prejudices when much of
the misinformation comes from Cath
olic ranks. He finds it odd that a few
who have known the Church for only
a little while should know her better
than many who were born with Iter
blessing. ■
Faith is a Divine gift, and it is won
derful to believe in the One, Holy,
Catholic, and Apostolic Church as the
True FaitH. But many, firm in this
conviction are disposed to take it all
for granted, and neglect to keep them
selves in a position to give a reason
for the Faith that is in them. Or even
worse, give erroneous expositions of
Catholic teachings.
As the writer in America says, the
disillusionment comes not from the
Faith, but from the faithful. It is not
the fault of the Church, for through
her priests in the pulpits, her religious
in the schools, and in other ways the
injunction to teach all nations has been
obeyed.
In most instances, Mr. Stewart
would probably find that it was a re
lapse into ignorance, a loss of knowl
edge once possessed. The Church has
no hidden teachings, and all may learn.
There is a lesson to be learned froiTh
the experience of the convert who
contributed to America. That lesson
is that there is a need for Study Clubs
for Adult Catholics as well as there
is necessity for religious instruction
of those who have not reached matur
ity. The Study Club idea should be
extended and fostered.
Misinformation, broadcasted inno
cently, by Catholics can, perhaps, do
more damage than malicious invention
of detractors outside the Church,
claims Mr. Stewart, and it is well for
us to heed what he has to say and
regain and fortify ourselves in knowl
edge of the Faith, so that in attempt
ing to instruct others we do not lead
them worse astray. H. K.