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f I ? 1 V In Chatham County School Case Local Educator Challenges Court Decision T . _ 7 T 1 _ _ r? 71/T O -I 7-- 7 ^^ Last week Judge Frank M. Scarlett of the Federal District Court handed down a decision denying the petition of a group of Negroes for integration of Chatham County’s public schools. Judge Scarlett, in a decision based on testimony by witnesses for white intervenors that integrated schools are harmful to both ichites and Negroes, ruled that a school system which secures “the maximum result in the educational process for all students and the minimum injury to any” is within Constitutional bounds. The Southern Cross requested comment from the Rev. Timothy Dwyer, S.M.A., principal of St. Pius X High School in Savannah. The following is his analysis cf the testimony which led to Judge Scarlett’s decision. The recent decision of Judge Frank M. Scarlett to deny the petition of a group of Negro parents for integration of Chat ham County’s Public Schools has already attracted national attention. Lawyers will argue the merits of thfe decision in higher courts. Eventually, the Supreme Court may be asked to decide the issue. Columnist David Lawrence claims that if the Scarlett de cision is upheld by this court then "the net effect could be to limit the 1954 decision to the principle of a political right, whereby persons of any color are entitled to attend public schools, but are subject to edu cational standards, which would be recognized as a valid basis for admission or rejection of applicants.” In opposing the petition, ex perts, testifying for a group of white intervenors, endeavored to show that forced mixing in the schools would be education ally and psychologically harm ful to both Negro and White. As supporting evidence, tests given at the University of Georgia since 1954 were cited. These tests showed a difference of twenty points in mental ma turity between the White aver age and the Negro average. They also showed that there is no similarity in arithmetical fun damentals and in the reading comprehension levels of the two races. It is claimed, therefore, that "failure to attain existing white standards would create seri ous psychological problems on the part of the Negro student,” This claim might be true if the pupils’ color was the only determining factor in the tests. And, surely, no one is claim ing that color alone causes the difference. What other factors were mea sured: Home environment? Community environment? Mo tivation? Educational back ground of the pupils tested? These are important factors. Were they considered? Even the relationships be tween the subject the and tester is of extreme importance. Stu dies show that the average I.Q. of a Negro group dropped six points when the test was ad ministered by a white psycholo gist. Likewise, white children tested by a Negro psychologist dropped in scores. Whereas, when the groups were tested by a member of their own race the scores approached normal. In reference, then, to the con tention of the intervenors that Negroes, as a group, are intel lectually inferior to Whites, on what evidence or grounds is this contention based? For, it cannot be denied that some Whites are intellectually superior to some Negroes, and (Continued on Page 4) Vol. 43, No. 36 10c Per Copy — $3 A Year SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1963 By Pope John On JFK Europe Trip In June Pope And President To Meet For Third Time In History WASHINGTON, (NC)~ For the third time in history an American president will meet with a pope when President Ken nedy calls on His Holiness Pope John XXIII next month. Confirmation that Mr. Kenne dy will meet with Pope John came from White House sour ces. The meeting will take place during a presidential working visit to Italy, expected to begin June 20. As the nation’s first Roman Catholic president, Mr. Kenne dy will be making history by calling on Pope John. It is not yet known whether the visit will take place at the Vatican or at the Pope’s summer residence at Castel- gandolfo. Details of the visit are to be worked out by a White House advance party going to Italy May 27. During his European tour next month the President will visit West Germany and Ireland as well as Italy. Mr. Kennedy is to return to the U. S. June 29. The two previous U. S. chief executives who have met with a pope while in office are Wood- row Wilson, who visited Pope Benedict XV in 1919, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who vi sited Pope John in 1959. Four other men who had serv ed or were to serve as Presi dent of the United States also were received by popes. They are Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover and Harry S. Truman. Pope John received Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in a private audience March 11, 1962. Originally President Kenne dy and the First Lady were scheduled to go to Rome on a state visit in June and it was expected that Mr. Kennedy would have an audience then with the Pope. However, the state visit was postponed when it became known that Mrs. Kennedy is expecting her third child in August and would not be able to accompany her husband at this time. The presidential visit to Italy was then reduced in scope to a working visit which would in volve only a trip to Milan to meet with Italian government officials. Now, however, Mr. Kennedy is to visit Rome and one or two other cities as well. Cardinal Suenens Discloses: “Council To Speak On Peace And War” By Bill Fanning NEW YORK, (NC)—The Sec ond Vatican Council will speak out on peace and war, Leo Car dinal Suenens, Archbishop of Malines - Brussels, Belgium, has desclosed. Cardinal Suenens, here to address a meeting of the U.S. committee for the United Na tions on the recent papal peace encyclical Pacem in Terris, said the council will deal with peace and war in a special scheme on vital world prob lems. This scheme will take up such issues as population, hunger, race, the developing nations, the Church and the individual, the Church and culture, and the Church and social and econom ic affairs, he said in an inter view. The Cardinal is head of the commission drafting this schema. Cardinal Suenens also said he sees "no reason” why news men should not be admitted to at least some sessions of the council. He said the council Fathers are "now studying how to make it (arrangements forpress cov erage) better in the next ses sion.” One idea under consideration, he said, is to have one or more bishops meet with newsmen daily and discuss what is taking place in the council. Cardinal Suenens was asked whether Pope John had advo cated unilateral disarmament in his peace encyclical, in the event that both sides could not be persuaded to disarm. He replied: "No. In Pope John’s view both sides must disarm.” The Belgian Cardinal spoke at length of the need for making the Church’s message more in telligible to the modern world. He interpreted the division of the council Fathers at the first (Continued on Page 4) Prayers For Successful Flight For Astronaut (N.C.W.C. News Service) Astronaut L. Gordon Coop er, who set a U. S. space flight record in his Faith 7 capsule, was in the prayers of His Holi ness Pope John XXIII as well as thousands of U. S. Catholics during his historic 22 orbits of the earth. While the Air Force major was still in orbit (May 16), Pope John said in Rome: "We follow them (Space flights) with prayers of blessing. We wish them real success that they may be a contribution to broth erhood and civilization.” The Vatican City daily, L’- Osservatore Romano, had a front-page story on the space flight, plus a front-page editor ial by editor Raimondo Man- zini. The editorial took note of the Pope’s statement that he was praying for the success of the flight and also said: "In re cording this new achievement and success of the American nation with the merit it deserves* one notes again that science is in the service of mam' kind. This is a triumph of tech nology which man has created with the spark of reason given to him by God.” Before Maj. Cooper was rocketed into space he received telegrams from a Catholic bi shop and from an abbot in his hometown of Shawnee, Okla., assuring him of prayers for the success of his mission. Bishop Victor J. Reed of Oklahoma City-Tulsa said in his telegram to the astronaut: "The exploration of outer space unveils before man the infinite majesty of God, the Creator of the universe. As one of America’s pioneer explorers you will be uniquely privileg ed to carry your Christian Faith and the Stars and Stripes bey ond the confines of this plan et. The prayers and best wish es of your fellow Oklahomans of Catholic Faith will accom pany you on this historic jour ney.” Abbot Philip Berning, O.S.B., (Continued on Page 5) INDEX QUESTION BOX 4 EDITORIALS 4 MARRIAGES 6 YOUTHSCOPE 5 HERE AND THERE. 6 OBITUARIES 6 BISHOP McDONOUGH begins Solemn Pontifical Mass, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Augusta’s Histor ic St. Patrick’s Church. Ceremony was attended by more than 450 clergy and laity. — (Morgan Tity Photo) SAINT PATRICK’S CHURCH CELEBRATES CENTENARY AUGUST A—Approximately 450 persons attended a Solemn Pontifical Mass last Sunday ev ening, marking the 100th anni versary of the consecration of St. Patrick’s church here. Preparations for the anniver sary celebration were begun months ago, when an extensive renovations program was undertaken. The entire inside of the historic church was re decorated and repairs under taken on the outside walls. Although the inside of the church had been repainted in 1944, no major work had been done on SILVER JUBILIARIANS—Archbishop John J. Krol of Philadelphia is pic tured with Bishop Thomas J. McDonough and other priests of the Overbrook ordination class of 1938 as they gathered earlier this month at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, for a solemn pontificial Mass of Thanks giving. Archbishop Krol presided at the Mass celebrated by Bishop McDonough. —(Philadelphia Standard and Times Photo) the outside walls since the church was first opened one hundred years ago. Said the Rev. Ralph Seikel, pastor, "arenovations program such as the one undertaken here at St. Patrick’s brings into sharp focus the high cost of construction today, as compar ed with a century ago. This church was built one hundred years ago at a cost of $42,000. The renovations pro gram just completed cost al most as much—$40,000.” His Excellency, Bishop Thomas J. McDonough was celebrant of the Mass, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Bourke, V. F., who served as Assistant priest. Father Ke vin Boland, instructor at St. John Vianney Minor Seminary was Deacon and Father John F. Schroder, S. J. was Subdeacon. Serving as Deacons of Honor were the Rev. Arthur Weltzer, pastor of Holy Farmily Church, Columbus and theRev. Nicholas Quinlan, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Augusta. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrew J. McDonald, Chancellor, and the Father Sei kel were Masters of Ceremon ies. Besides the clergy from Au gusta’ s other Catholic church es, priests from various parts of the Diocese were present. Among the visiting clergy were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. George Lewis Smith, from Aiken, S. C.J Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Toomey, pastor of St. James, Savannah; Rev. John O’Shea, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Hapeville, Georgia; Rev. Richard Morrow, pastor of St. Bernadette’s, Ce- dartown, Georgia; Rev. Timothy Flaherty, O.S.C., assistant pas tor of Sacred Heart, Savannah; ahd Rev. Herbert J. Wellmeier, assistant rector of the Cathe dral, Savannah. Choir for the Mass was the Glee Club of Aquias High School, Augusta. Bishop’s Council Meets At Columbus COLUMBUS—Bishop Thom as J. McDonough addressed the Deanery meeting of the Bishop’s Council of Catholic Men, held May 12th at St. Ann’s School. His Excellency reiterated his plea for vocations saying that "the laymans first step in as sistance to him was to encou rage vocations to the priest hood.” The Bishop recom mended a "ParishOpen House” to be conducted during the early fall months. Reports were submitted and read to the delegates by the Deanery Committees. Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Toomey, Spirit ual Director, told the men that from these reports they can see the result of their work and see where action is needed. Msgr. Toomey also urged greter participation in the local Holy Name Societies. The following slate of officers was presented, elected and in stalled: President, Ray Dwornik, St. Teresa’s, Albany; Vice-Presi dent, Al Eversman, St. Ann’s, Columbus; Secretary, Major Linus F. Pottebaum, USMC, St. Teresa’s, Albany; Treasurer, Joseph H. Long, St. Benedict’s Columbus. Serrans Host Pastors SAVANNAH—The Serra Club of Savannah played host to the pastors of Chatham County Ca tholic Churches at their semi monthly meeting last Wednes day evening. Guest of honor and principal speaker was Bishop Thomas J. McDonough. Serra Club mem bers, he said, participate in one of the most important tasks of any Bishop. The Serra Club is an organi zation of Catholic men dedicated to the promotion and fostering of vocations to the Priesthood. "Your patron, Fra Junipero Serra, accomplished truly great things for God,” said Bishop McDonough. "He founded a chain of missions which to this day dot the length of the state of California. It was largely through his efforts that the Faith of the first Christian in habitants of that State was kept alive. It was to the missions he built that they came to be re freshed in spirit by the Word of God, and to be joined to Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.” "You are continuing in his footsteps. Because through your work and prayers the Grace of God is stirring the hearts of our young people, awakening in them the desire to follow in the foot steps of the Eternal High Priest, bringing to men the same Word of God and the same Holy Sac rament of the altar.” Mr. William Gaudry, newly elected President of the Savan nah Serrans presented Bishop McDonough with a burse to be used toward the education of some worthy young man studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Savannah.