Newspaper Page Text
■hIhb
SSujhem
Cross
Diocese of
Savannah
Vol. 80, No. 22
Thursday, June 1, 2000
Contents
Headline Hopscotch .2
News 3
Commentary 4-5
Around the Diocese .6-7
Faith Alive! 8-9
Notices 10-11
Last But Not Least . 12
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The southern spire of the Cathedral of Saint John
the Baptist shines after its scaffolding was recently
removed. The steeple’s steel frame has been
strengthened, its slate shingles have been replaced
and its cross has been gilt.
Unveiling of spire reveals progress in
Cathedral restoration
By Father Douglas K. Clark
Savannah
T he recent unveiling of the southern spire of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is a
tangible sign that the restoration of the Mother Church of south Georgia is proceeding
on target. Work on the upper portion of the north steeple is nearing completion. Then the
cross will be erected and gilded and the scaffolding will be removed.
Father William O. O’Neill, the Cathedral rector, says that there is “still quite an amount of
work to be done on the terra cotta around the bell towers of both steeples.” This work in
cludes replacing sixteen gargoyles and repairing or replacing pinnacles. Only then will the
scaffolding be completely removed from the steeples to allow completion of the roof work
in this area. The bell with its new assembly will be returned from Cincinnati, Ohio, and
hoisted up through the trap doors on the interior of the south steeple when the scaffolding is
removed from the south door on the plaza.
Newly-crafted marble furnishings from Italy and Poland are expected to be ready for final
approval and inspection by mid-June, after which they will immediately be crated for the
long voyage by ship across the Atlantic to arrive in Savannah no later than early August.
With the exception of the large Rose Window, most of the restored stained glass has been
installed in the upper level, but will be installed in the lower level only after all the scaf
folding is removed. Exterior protective glass will be installed around mid-June to protect
the newly-restored windows. This glass is being specially made to withstand hurricane-
force winds. Work on the interior is on schedule with most of the work currently being done
in the transept and chancel area. Once the painting is completed in this area, work will
begin on restoring the transept murals. The murals in the nave have already been restored.
A completely new sound system is scheduled to be installed in September. The old system
from the upper level will be modified for use in the lower level. Additional lighting has yet
to be installed in the chancel area of the lower chapel. Work is ready to begin on the instal
lation of the new elevator. Exterior painting has been completed on the east end, the north
and south transepts, and portions of the north and south walls of the nave. A total of
$5,600,000 has been paid out to date.
“Generally speaking, the project schedule is on target,” Father O’Neill said. “However,
pressure is on to insure that everything is ready for the rededication date which is set in
stone for November 29.” Work must be completed by early November as several days of
“absolute quietness” will be needed inside the Cathedral to retune the pipe organ and fine-
tune the new sound system.
Republican hopeful addresses Catholic
By Julie Asher
Baltimore (CNS)
ddressing Catholic journalists by satellite May
26, Republican presidential contender Gov.
George W. Bush reiterated his support for capital
punishment and his opposition to partial-birth
abortions.
During his 15-minute appearance, the Texas gov
ernor also mentioned education reform, tax breaks
for struggling families and the need to create a
“hospitable society.”
“I believe our country must be prosperous but
prosperity must have a purpose ... to make sure the
American dream touches every willing heart,” said
Bush via satellite to participants at the Catholic
Press Association convention in Baltimore.
In a short question-and-answer period, Bush was
asked if as the governor of the state that leads in
the number of executions, he has reconsidered his
strong support for the death penalty as more cases
have come to light of innocent people being put to
death in other states. He was also asked if he sup
ported the use of DNA testing when requested by
death-row inmates in their appeals.
The candidate said he supports the death penalty
because, he said, “when it is applied justly and
swiftly it deters crime. It sends a chilling message
that there are consequences for killing somebody.”
He added, “I support the law. That’s my job as
governor. I don’t believe (Texas has) executed a
single innocent person. If DNA helps to settle a
case or raise any doubts of course we ought to be
using it.”
On the issue of abortion, Bush said as president
he would sign a ban on partial-birth abortion and
that in making judicial appointments, he will
press by satellite
choose jurists “who will strictly interpret the
Constitution” and “will not use the bench from
which to legislate.”
Bush was asked what he would do to help the
nation’s “troubled families” and asked to relate
something from his own upbringing.
To help families, Bush said, the government
could give them tax breaks so they can share in the
nation’s surplus, and in families children need “a
loving mother and dad. Discipline and love go
hand in hand.” He said he was disciplined by his
mother, which “she did out of love.” But “the
greatest gift” he said he received was his parents’
“unconditional love.”
In a brief talk before taking questions, Bush
spoke in general terms about how his administra
tion would promote a nation “rich in ideals, in jus-
continued on page 3)