Newspaper Page Text
Newspaper Of The Diocese Of Savannah
Vol. 65 No. 28 Thursday, August 15, 1985
Pope John Paul Calls For End To Apartheid
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (NC) — Pope John Paul II called
for “an end, without delay” to apartheid in South Africa
Aug. 11 and offered prayers for the victims of the recent
“bloody confrontations” there.
The pope spoke in unscheduled remarks at the end of his
Angelus address to about 100,000 people in the main square
in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Cameroon was the
third stop on a seven-nation, 12-day trip to Africa.
The pope spoke of “my profound pain, my disquiet, my
prayer” concerning the “fresh, bloody confrontations
which have developed over these recent days in South
Africa and which worry all Africa and the entire world.”
Renewed racial strife in South Africa claimed at least 65
lives in the five days preceding the pope’s remarks.
“May God receive all those victims in his peace,” the
pope said. “May he inspire all to wisdom, just conduct, a
feeling of respect for the dignity of others and a will for
peace, so as to put an end, without delay, to all discrimina
tion which is unworthy of man, and all violence, which is
ruinous for man.”
Earlier, Vatican press spokesman Joaquin Navarro-
Valls, who accompanied the pope in Africa, released a
statement in which he said Pope John Paul “profoundly
deplores” the situation in South Africa.
“Almost every day the pope informs himself of the
development of the situation. He asks God to inspire all with
feelings of peace, of justice and respect for everyone.
“The issue of apartheid—which is inadmissible—touches
the fundamental rights of man. And the Holy Father wishes
to defend the body of rights of man, without which there is
no dignity: these include lack of all discrimination, political
freedom, freedom of thought and freedom of conscience,”
the spokesman added.
Here is an NC News Service translation of the pope’s
remarks at his Angelus blessing.
“We open our heart to the whole African continent. On
this holy day, on this Sunday, in this islet of peace, how can
we forget those who, elsewhere, are in distress? I am think
ing especially of the numerous victims of the fresh, bloody
confrontations which have developed over these recent
days in South Africa and which worry all Africa and the en
tire world. As I said at the Angelus of last Sunday and at the
Wednesday audience in Rome, I utter my profound pain,
my disquiet, my prayer.
“May God receive all those victims in his peace. May he
AFRICAN OFFERING — Pope John Paul II
is presented with an elephant tusk carved with
inspire all to wisdom, just conduct, a feeling of respect for
the dignity of others, and a will for peace, so as to put an
end, without delay, to all discrimination which is unworthy
ol man, and all violence, which is ruinous for man
his name during an outdoor Mass at Yaounde,
Cameroon. (NC photo from UPI-Ileuter)
Rourke Foundation Gives $10,000 Toward Cathedral Organ
BY GILLIAN BROWN
Trustees of the Rourke Foundation presented a $10,000 check to Bishop Raymond W.
Lessard, on Monday, as a contribution toward the cost of a new pipe organ for Savan
nah’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
GIFT FOR CATHEDRAL
ORGAN — Pictured at presenta
tion of check from the Rourke
Foundation, in the amount of
$10,000, for the Cathedral organ
(1. to r.) are: Savannah’s Bishop
Raymond W. Lessard, William B.
Clarke, Mrs. Patty Schreck and
Benjamin Garfunkel. (Photo by
Gillian Brown)
The donation will be applied to the cost of the console of the new three-manual organ
which will be installed in the Cathedral in about two years' time. A commemorative pla
que will be installed on the console in acknowledgement of the gift.
The occasion would have pleased Sister M. Victorine, R.S.M., and members of the
Rourke family who established the Foundation, Bishop Lessard said as he accepted the
check. Sister Victorine was formerly Administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital and organist
at the Cathedral.
Set up by Sr. Victorine under the authority of the Will of her brother, the late Judge
John Rourke, the Foundation provides funding for charitable, religious and educational
work.
Board Chairman Benjamin Garfunkel presented the check at a called meeting of the
Trustees, who represent the Catholic, Jewish and Protestant sectors of the community.
A new organ has been needed for years according to Mrs. Patricia Schreck, organist.
Though the project will take time for completion, the final result will be “outstanding,"
the Trustees agreed. A committee, under chairmanship of Dr. J. Harry Persse, has been
meeting to discuss the specifications for the new organ, a majestic instrument with 2,178
pipes which is being custom-built in Massachusetts by the Noack Company.
The pipes will be installed in a semicircle to fit around the rose window at the back of
the choir loft and to allow the lower lancet windows to shine through. According to pre
sent plans the organ will have 38 stops. If donors come forward additional stops might be
added.
An organ such as this one should last a life time, according to William B. Clarke,
organist at St. Paul’s Lutheran, who is a consultant to the organ committee. Clarke notes
that a pipe organ of this caliber will give cathedral music an entirely new sound.
“W’ith the present electronic organ, sound is produced mechanically or electronically
within the instrument and then amplified with loud speakers. With a pipe organ, sound is
produced in the actual air in the room. It is a different quality - a much more refined
quality. It really should be a beautiful sound to go with that beautiful building.”
Meetings of the Rourke Foundation are always a pleasure, according to Tom Coffey, of
the Savannah News Press, a member of the Board, who enjoys being in a position to help
assist many worthy causes. Among recipients of financial assistance are seminaries, the
YMCA, the Coastal Community Food Bank, the Pastoral Counselling Center, the Savan
nah Social Apostolate, and St. Joseph's Hospital. In addition a donation was recently
made to the building fund at Benedictine Military School as a tribute to former Mayor
Pro Tern Frank Rossiter, who was a member of the Rourke Foundation Board.