Newspaper Page Text
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Newspaper Of The Diocese Of Savannah
Vol. 70 No. 22 Thursday, May 31, 1990 $12.00 Per Year
Walker Ordained At Cathedral
BY BARBARA KING
Hundreds of people from throughout the Diocese of
Savannah, from around the country and throughout the
world gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Saturday to witness the ordination of James B. Walker to
the priesthood.
“Not every day will be be like today,” Bishop Raymond
W. Lessard reminded the new priest for the Diocese of
Savannah. “There will be those days when your heart is
just as full, but maybe with pain rather than with joy,
because it is not easy to be a shepherd.”
In his homily on the occasion, the bishop reflected on
Jesus’ teachings on the role of the Good Shepherd, citing
both the joys and tribulations of the priesthood.
Fr. John A. Kenneally, pastor of St. James Church in
Savannah, presented Deacon Walker to the bishop, Fr.
William O’Neill, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in
Savannah, vested Walker in his priestly garments.
(Continued on page 3)
OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Bishop Raymond W. Lessard has announced the
following appointments:
Reverend Timothy K. Ryan has been granted a one-
year leave for studies of the Spanish language.
Reverend Fred J. Nijem has been appointed pastor
of Holy Trinity Church, Augusta, effective August 10,
1990.
Reverend Jonh O’Brien has been appointed pastor of
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Columbus, effective
August 10, 1990.
Reverend Patrick J. Shinnick has been appointed
pastor of Good Shepherd Church, Hazlehurst and St.
Christopher Church, Baxley, effective,June 15, 1990.
Reverend Daniel P. O’Connell has been granted a
five-year leave to work with the St. James Society in
Latin America, effective June 1, 1990.
Reverend Robert A. Cushing has been appointed
pastor of Holy Spirit Church, Macon, effective May 15,
1990.
Reverend Jeremiah McCarthy has been appointed
pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Port Went
worth, effective May 15, 1990.
Reverend James Walker has been appointed assist
ant pastor of St. James the Less Church, Savannah, ef
fective May 26, 1990.
Reverend Mr. Brett Brannen has been assigned to
summer diaconal ministry at St. Anne, Columbus.
*****
Upon presentation of Father Frank Ruff, President
of Glenmary Home Missioners, Bishop Lessard has ap
pointed:
Reverend Laurence Goulding pastor of St.
Christopher Church, Claxton, and its missions of St.
Jude Church, Glennville, and Holy Cross Church, Pem
broke, effective July 21, 1990.
Reverend Brian LaBurt pastor of Holy Trinity
Church, Swains boro, and its mission of Holy Family
Church, Metter, effective July L, 1990.
LAYING ON OF HANDS — Following an an
cient custom found in Scripture, Bishop Ray
mond W. Lessard places his hands upon the
head of James B. Walker, praying in solemn
silence for the gift of the Holy Spirit during
Walker’s ordination on May 26. Other priests
of the diocese also participated in the laying of
hands following the consecration by the bishop.
Georgia Christian Council Discusses Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Act of 1990 was review
ed by the Georgia Christian Council during
its Spring meeting held in Savannah
recently.
Hilary Shelton, associate director of the
United Methodist Church, Board of Church
and Society, in Washington, D.C., outlined
“very negative rulings in terms of civil
rights on employment protection of women
and minorities.” The Council participants
were urged to contact their U.S. Senators
and Representatives asking them to
become co-signers of the Act, along with
Senator Wyche Fowler and Congressman
John Lewis, and to usher it through Con
gress with no weakening amendments.
The Catholic Diocese of Savannah
hosted the spring meeting, holding it at St.
Benedict the Moor Church. Bishop Ray
mond W. Lessard, current President of the
Council, presided over the series of
meetings.
In addition to moderating the business
sessions, he made a presentation on the
substantive principles of the Catholic
Church and served as celebrant for the
Solemn Celebration of Evening Prayer.
During the service, members of St.
Benedict Parish and Council members
gathered for worship in the Roman
Catholic tradition. Fr. Michael
Kavanaugh, vice chancellor for the
diocese, delivered the homily and Deacon
Frank Mathis, director of the Diocesan Of
fice of Black Ministry, served as reader. A
morning Bible study hour was led by Fr.
Douglas Clark, pastor of St. Anne Church
in Richmond Hill. His topic was “The Pro
logue,” from John 1:1-18.
The issue of capital punishment came
before the Council in three forms. Frank
Spratling, pilgrimage organizer for
Amnesty International, reported on the
just concluded “National Pilgrimage for
Abolition of the Death Penalty” from
Starke, Fla. to Atlanta.
Also, Shelton outlined the Racial Justice
Act (U.S. Senate Bill 1696) that “would
allow an individual to challenge his or her
death sentence if it could be shown to be
part of a racially biased pattern of sen
tencing.”
Bishop Harry Shipps of the Episcopal
Diocese of Savannah called for
establishing a committee that would study
the issue and report to the Council in the
form of a resolution at the Fall meeting
scheduled to be held in Cartersville Oc
tober 16.
“Church Use of Census Data” was the
subject of a talk by Dr. Orrin Morris,
(Continued on page 3)
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT DISCUSSED — Hilary Shelton discusses the
Civil Rights Act of 1990 as Bishop Raymond W. Lessard listens during
the two-day Georgia Christian Council meeting held at St. Benedict the
Moor Church, Savannah.
