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4JLa_ SmiiLern Cross Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese ofSavannah http://www.diosav.org Vol. 81, No. 32 Thursday, September 20, 2001 $.50 per issue “Seek reconciliation, not revenge,” bishop urges A memorial wreath and the Easter candle crossed by the American flag in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist honor the victims of the September 11 attack on the United States. By Barbara D. King 4 {rpihe most difficult part of our 1 future journey is reconcilia tion, forgiveness and renewal of trust,” Bishop J. Kevin Boland said during a moving service at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Sunday in the aftermath of the ter rorist attack on two major U.S. cities. The bishop celebrated the Mass in Time of War and Civil Distur bance in a Cathedral whose pews were packed with grief-stricken worshippers. Tears and somber faces filled the sanctuary as organ ist Patricia Schreck led the choir through religious hymns inter spersed with patriotic songs. It was the first time the bishop had celebrated Mass at the Cathe dral since returning from a meeting of the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Bishops in Washington, DC. It was during that meeting last Tuesday that he heard of the at tacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. “I speak to you in my role as spiritual leader,” the bishop told his hushed audience Sunday. “We are deeply aware of the awesome re sponsibility of the President of the United States and all political lead ers, that during these darkest of hours, they will lead us with re solve to seek accountability from those who perpetrated these horrif ic crimes.” He added, “We pray that whatev er may happen in the days ahead, it will be carried out in such fashion that it will personify justice and help to bring peace to the world.” But his central message was that revenge should not consume Ame- (Continued on page 6) Savannah diocesan family affected by attacks By Father Douglas K. Clark lthough Georgia is geographi cally remote from New York and Washington, members of the Savannah diocesan family were personally affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Many had relatives or friends in the buildings. Their fates were unknown for some time. Bishop in Washington Bishop J. Kevin Boland was in Washington, DC, attending a U.S. Bishops’ meeting, when the attacks took place September 11. The bish ops were kept informed of the at tacks and concelebrated a special noon Mass with Washington Car dinal Theodore McCarrick at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. “The Shrine was packed,” the bishop recounted. “I was struck by the large number of Catholic University students in tears during the celebration.” Because of the suspension of commercial flights, Bishop Boland rented a car and drove back to Savannah in order to preside at the Mass in Time of War or Civil Disturbance at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist on Sunday. Firefighting relatives Monsignor William O. O’Neill, rector of the Cathedral, was con cerned for three relatives serving in the New York City Fire Department. His first cousin, Captain Tommy O’Neill, was trans ferred from his company to super visory duties the morning of the attack. All members of the compa ny were killed. Tommy’s nephews, Sean Hayes and Chris Pisano, were also on duty at Ground Zero. Sean was heading into the World Trade Center when he was sent back to the fire truck to bring equipment as the body of the Fire Department chaplain, Father Mychal F. Judge, OFM, was being carried out. Before he could return from the truck, the building collapsed and he was trapped under the fire truck for 24 hours before being rescued. on NY, DC Monsignor O’Neill also learned that Martin Coughlin, a classmate of his from grade school in Ireland had been working as a carpenter on the 102nd floor of one of the WTC towers when the building was hit. He is presumed dead. (Continued on page 7) Official Appointments B ishop J. Kevin Boland has announced the following appointments: Reverend Robert E. Chaney, Director of African-American Ministry for the Diocese of Savannah, effective July 1, 2001. Reverend Monsignor William O. O’Neill, Dean of the Savannah Deanery, effective September 1, 2001, for a term of one year (com pleting the term of Father John A. Kenneally). Reverend Lawrence B. Goulding, GHM, Dean of the Statesboro Deanery, effective September 1, 2001, for a term of two years (completing the term of Father Michael H. Smith). Reverend Fred Nijem, reapponted Dean of the Macon Deanery, effective September 1, 2001, for a term of three years. Doctors Reid, Broderick, remembered —page 3 Mass in Time of War or Civil Disturbance —page 6 Hamilton parish to build new church —page 12