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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.