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1 Vol. 44, No. 21 10c Per Copy — $3 A Year U. S. Bishops Say Is Mankind’s Loss President’s Death SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1963 Pope Paul Expresses Grief VATICAN CITY (NC)—Pope Paul VI expressed his grief at the “tragic and sad news'* of President Kennedy's assassi nation in a formal statement and in separate messages to his widow, his parents, his brother, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston, who celebrated Mass at the President’s funeral. The Pontiff again spoke of his sorrow when he received delegates attending a Rome meeting of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organi zation. Pope Paul said in his state ment: “We have been greatly stricken by the tragic and sad news of the killing of the Presi dent of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and of the serious wounding of Gov. John Connally of Texas. “We are deeply grieved by this exercrable crime, for the grief which has struck the great and civilized country and for the suffering which Mrs. Ken nedy, her children and her rela tions suffer. “We deplore this event with Our whole heart. We express the hope that the death of this great statesman will not bring damage to the American people, but will strengthen its moral and civil sense and sentiments of nobility and concord. We pray God that the sacrifice of John Kennedy may help the cause promoted and defended by him of the liberty of peoples and of peace in the world. “He was the first Catholic president of the United State's. We remember that We had the honor of his visit and that We noted in him great wisdom and high purpose for the good of humanity. We, shall offer Holy Mass tomorrow (Nov. 23) for the peace of his soul, for the com fort of those who mourn his death and so that, not hatred, POPE PAUL VI but love shall reign in humani ty.” The Pope’s message to President Johnson said: “To Your Excellency and to the beloved American people We offer the expression of Our sincerest prayerful condo lences on the death in parti cularly tragic circumstances of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whom We had known personally and whose intrepid character and high qualities We admired. We pray God to grant Your Excellency as you accede to the presidency of the nation His choicest graces of guidance and strength.” The Pope told Mrs. Kennedy: “We hasten to send you, be loved daughter, the assurance of Our heartfelt sympathy in your deep sorrow, and of Our fervent prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of your hus band, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Upon you and your children We bestow in pledge of sustaining and consoling divine graces Our affectionate paternal apostolic blessing.” Pope Paul told the Presi dent’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kennedy: “Our paternal heart shares in your immense sorrow on the tragic death of your son, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and, in as suring Our prayers for the eter nal repose of his soul, We implore from God abundant gra ces of consolation and comfort for you both and for all the family, imparting to all in pledge of that divine solace Our most affectionate apostolic blessing.” The Pontiff’s message to the President’s brother, Atty. Gen. Robert Kennedy, said: “With deep sorrow We send Our cordial condolences to you, to your parents and to the family on the immense loss suffered in the death of your brother, President John Fitzgerald Ken nedy, promising our remem brance on the altar of God for his eternal repose and for the consolation of all his loved ones on this tragic bereavement.” To Cardinal Cushing he said: “We share in your loss, beloved son, on the sad death of Presi dent John Fitzgerald Kennedy and We assure Our prayers for his soul and for your solace and that of all who knew and loved him.” At the reception for FAO delegates, Pope Paul said: “We cannot commence Our discourse without reference to the tragic death of the Presi dent of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. We wish to (Continued on Page 2) U. S. Cardinals Mourn President Kennedy WASHINGTON, (NC) — Ri chard Cardinal Cushing, who offered the Pontifical Requiem Mass for the President in St. Matthew's Cathedral, Washing ton, D. C., on Monday (Nov. 25) said: “Every inhabited section of the earth is in sorrow over the terrible tragedy that deprived our country of one of its great est presidents, and the world of one of its most courageous leaders. “My heart is broken with grief over his ‘martyrdom’ for the cause of a free world. In the midst of my emotions my prayers go forward in sympa thy to his dear wife, his chil dren, his loving father and mo ther, and all the members of his family. Their sorrow is beyond our words to describe. I shall leave on the morrow (Nov. 23) for Hyannis Port to be of whatever possible service I can to them (the President’s parents.) “John Fitzgerald Kennedy, known to me for a lifetime and loved by me as a devoted friend, has laid down his life for us all. ‘Greater love than this no man hath.’ “Since the day he assumed the office of President of the United States, he exemplified in his life and especially in his death the title of his famous book, ‘Profiles in Courage.’ I recall that in his inauguration address he stated he would not shrink from his responsibili ties. He has been faithful to that pledge even unto death. “It is not possible for me to comment any further on this untimely and unforgettable tra gedy. I am so overcome with sorrow on the loss of a great friend and so concerned about extending my sympathy to all his loved ones who have si lently carried, unknown to mul titudes, some of the heaviest crosses of life. “I pray especially that the youth of this world, and es pecially of America, will take a lesson from his courageous words and deeds and work for freedom, equality and justice which his youthful vigor sought for all the peoples of this earth. May God rest the noble soul of this youthful‘martyr.’ ” Francis Cardinal Spellman of New York headed the U. S. prelates in Rome for the Second Vatican Council in expressing shock and grief over the tra gic death of President John F. Kennedy. Cardinal Spellman called President Kennedy “a martyr of this century” at a Requiem Mass in Rome’s American church, Santa Susanna’s. The church was packed to overflowing for the Mass (Nov. 23). Among those pres ent were James Francis Cardi nal McIntyre of Los Angeles; Albert Cardinal Meyer of Chi cago; Gregorio Cardinal Aga- gianian, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propaga tion of the Faith; Archbishop Martin J. O'Connor, rector of the North American College; and some 200 bishops and offi cials of the Roman curia. Also attending was the U. S. Am bassador to Italy, Frederick Reinhardt. Cardinal Spellman spoke of the assassinated President in prayers at a symbolic catafal que at the end of the Mass. Switching from Latin to Eng lish for the liturgical prayer that begins “May angels lead you into Paradise, may the martyrs receive you at your coming,” the Cardinal con cluded with a prayer of his own. He called President Ken nedy a martyr, asked divine help for his family and prayed that the principles he had act ed on would be pursued. James Francis Cardinal Mc Intyre of Los Angeles and Jo seph Cardinal Ritter of St. Louis received word at the North American College in Rome. * ‘We were having dinner to gether when we received the terrible news,” the two Car dinals said in a joint state ment. “It grieved our hearts and shocked us deeply. We im mediately called together the students and offered prayers together for the repose of the President’s soul and the comfort of his wife and chil dren.” Albert Cardinal Meyer of Chicago said: “I join with the entire nation in expressing profound grief over this tragic event. At times such as this, one can have recourse only to prayer for the soul of our great departed Pre sident, and for the welfare of our country. “This morning I offered Holy Mass for the repose of his soul. To Mrs. Kennedy and the be reaved members of the late President’s family I express deepest sympathy. Our prayers also go out for our new Presi dent as he assumes the formi dable duties of his office. In giving his life for his country, President Kennedy demonstra ted to us how heavy and crush ing these duties are. “In deploring this truly ter rible act of assassination, we must all unite in fervent prayer for the cause of peace and the welfare of our country, which were so close to the late Presi dent’s heart and for which, we may say, he gave his life.” (N.C.W.C. NEWS SERVICE) ROME—The Catholic Bishops of the United States described President John F. Kennedy as “ever the good steward,” and expressed that “his death in the service of his ideals” may “rally this generation to the triumph of peace and justice and freedom for all.” The Bishops spoke in a joint statement, issued in Rome where they are taking part in the second session of the Sec ond Vatican Council. They said bis death was “shocking” news, and that it “deprives mankind of a compassionate champion of peace and brotherhood.” The text of the Bishops’ state ment follows: “In this hour of common sor row for our nation, we join with all our fellow citizens and per sons of goodwill throughout the world in expressing our heart felt condolences on the tragic death of the President to Mrs. Kennedy and to their children, to his devoted parents and all the members of the family. His shocking death deprives man kind of a compassionate cham pion of peace and brother hood, his country of a courageous executive, his fam ily of a loyal husband and fa ther, his parents of a dutiful and devoted son. “Endowed with extraordinary talents and a great measure of this world’s goods, he was ever the good steward, never forget ting that these gifts were entrusted by God to hi scare for the benefit of his neighbor. He described his own life when he uttered his famous appeal, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.’ “His vision of duty was not limited to his country, even though he had given almost, to the last full measure of de votion in its defense. He was no less mindful of the place of his country in the family of na tions. No person was a stranger to his concern, and his deepest concern was for the less fortun ate among God’s children. May nis death in the service for his ideals rally this genera tion to the triumph of peace with justice and freedom for all. “May the good God who endowed and inspired him grant our prayers and those of all his fellow citizens and friends for the repose of his soul in the company of his Creator and Redeemer.” The statement was signed by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Papal Secretary Of State Cardinal Cicognani Expresses Sorrow VATICAN CITY (NC)—Amle- to Cardinal Cicognani, Papal Secretary of State, said the world is filled with “horror and abhorrence” at the assassi nation of President Kennedy. The former Apostolic Dele gate to tne u. S. ueciai'ed in a statement: “The whole world is over whelmed by sentiments of hor ror and abhorrence at this senseless crime which seems to inflict a hard blow to the very values and aims of our civili zation. “We mourn the loss of Presi dent Kennedy and we pray for the repose of his noble soul. To his anguished family and to his great nation, stricken with such grief, we express the senti ments of our heartfelt condo lences and profound participa tion in their sorrow. “He was sincerely loved by his people whom he undertook to serve with complete dedication right from his youth with an uncommon wisdom and above all with constant energy and deter mination. Held in the highest esteem and admired both within his country and abroad, he will live on in history—a shining ex- ample of joyful, intelligent and full dedication to the great causes of human society, and a splendid ideal of a faithful ser vant of his nation in the highest duties which he fulfilled with praiseworthy generosity.” Memorial Services At Hunter AFB SAVANNAH—Servicemen at Hunter Air Force Base here at tended Memorial services hon oring the late President of the United States, John F. Ken nedy last Tuesday morning. The invocation was delivered by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrew J. Mc Donald, Chancellor of the Dio cese of Savannah. Said Monsignor McDonald: “Heavenly Father, in this hour of tragedy and sorrow, We, the American people, look to Thee for guidance and protection. As we ponder the tragic death of our president, John F. Ken nedy, we ask eternal repose for his immortal soul. Of him we say, “Greater love than this no man hath: Than He lay down His Life for His friend.” In this sad hour, Heavenly Father, we ask divine blessings and gui dance for our new president, Lyndon B. Johnson. May your (Continued on Page 2) REQUIEM FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY—An estimated 2,000 persons overflowed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist last Monday evening to attend a Solemn Requiem for President Kennedy. Procession is pictured leaving Cathedral following Mass.— (News-Press Photo By Andrew J. Hickman) Cathedral In Savannah Overflow Crowd At Mass For President Kennedy SAVANNAH — The emotion al impact of the murder of President John F. Kennedy on the entire nation was mirrored in faces and quietly prayerful attitude of the crowd of more than 2,000 persons which over flowed this city’s historic Ca thedral of St. John the Baptist for a Solemn Requiem Mass last Monday evening, the same day the slain President was laid to rest in the National Cem etery' at Arlington, Virginia. The Mass was the official farewell of the Diocese of Sa vannah to a Chief Executive always controversial, but pro bably to most also always en gaging, warm and vital—the AUGUSTA MOURNS PRESIDENT—This picture was taken minutes after the death of President Kennedy and shows Sisters and children spontaneously visiting St. Mary’s Church for prayer.—(Photo Courtesy Augusta Chronicle) father o f a family which had earned the admiration of count less young American families, forceful leader in an era of change and frightening danger, and the first Catholic ever elec ted to the Presidency of the United States. And while Catholics of this city paid their last respects to J ohn Fitzgerald Kennedy at the Cathedral and at Masses of Requiem in the city’s other Catholic Churches, men and women of other faiths went by the hundreds to their respec tive Churches to offer their final salute to the President and to pray for his family, and to ask Divine guidance for the new President, Lyndon B. John son. Celebrant of the Cathedral Mass was the Rt. Rev. Andrew J. McDonald, Chancellor. The Rev. John Cuddy, Diocesan Su perintendent of Schools was Deacon, while the Rev. Leo nard O'Brien, assistant rec tor of the Cathedral served as Subdeacon. Ceremonies were under the direction of the Rev. Lawrence Lucree, assistant rector of the Cathedral. In attendance at the Mass, sung by the Cathedral Men’s Chpir, were the Catholic cler gy and Religious of the city, Seminarians, Cadets from Ben edictine Military School, stu dents of St. Vincent’s Acad emy and St. Pius X High School, the Immaculate Conception As sembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and hun dreds of mourners from the city and surrounding areas. Monsignor McDonald also de livered a short sermon. * ‘Where can we find words to express the sorrow that ap palls our nation?” he asked. The Savannah Chancellor re called that “Three years ago in this very month, the free people of the United States of America went to the polls to choose a President. All of us can vividly recall that cam paign. For the first time in many years, a man's religion had an obvious effect upon the ballot. With unusual political talent, John Fitzgerald Kenne dy won that election and became the first Catholic President of the United States. “In the course of the tenure of his office, the President was subjected to the usual cri ticism of any man who holds a high place in public life. No matter what people thought of him, however, no one could accuse him of favoring Catho lics. He was a fair minded man, dedicated to the high ideals of his office. True, hu man as he was, he made his share of mistakes. There was never a doubt, however, in the minds of anyone, even his worst enemies, that he acted with the sincerity of his convictions.” “In his death, we have lost a President; in his death we have lost a fellow Catholic; in his death, his mother and his father have given a second son to the honor and glory of God and country. For these parents lost another son in combat in the Second World War. “Of these two boys, we can say ‘Greater love than this no man hath than that he lay down his life for his friend’. “In his death, two innocent children, the type of whom Our Lord said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me; for of such is the Kingdom of Hea ven’, have lost their father. Of those responsible for this tragic death, we can say no more than what Our Lord, Him self, said upon the Cross. ' Fa ther, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ ” Pray For Our Deceased Priests REV. GREGORY DUGGAN Dec. 3, 1870 rev. john McCarthy Dec. 3, 1920 Oh God, IVho didst give to thy servants by their sacredotaf office, a share in the priest hood of the Apostles, grant, we implore, that they may also be one of their company forever in heaven. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.