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■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 $.50 PER ISSUE 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)