Newspaper Page Text
Photo by Barbara D. King.
http://www.diosav.org
Vol. 83, No. 33 Thursday, September 25, 2003
$.75 per issue
Children” begins
v'-vver 125 clergy, pastoral ministers, school staff and others who minis-
\_y ter to children participated in the first session of a new, comprehen
sive child sexual abuse prevention program sponsored by the Diocese of
Savannah on September 19.
Developed by National Catholic
Services as part of their Virtus pro
gram, the “Protecting God’s Chil
dren” initiative was launched with
a three-and-a half hour session at
Saint James Church in Savannah.
In addition to leading the work
shop, Erika Allen, representing
VIRTUS, also spent two days in
Savannah training 35 Diocese of
Savannah pastoral workers to be
facilitators for “Protecting God’s
Children.” These facilitators will
present sessions like the one held at
Saint James at locations throughout
the diocese over the next 12
months until all priests, deacons,
religious, full-and part-time
employees and volunteers who
work with youth on a regular basis
have attended a session.
“Much time and effort has been
invested in preparation for present
ing the ‘Protecting God’s Children’
program throughout the diocese,”
said Stephen B. Williams, Director
for Pastoral Services for the diocese,
whose office is coordinating the
VIRTUS training. “The overall pur
pose of the program is to help estab
lish safe environments for our young
people, and an effective beginning is
to make adults aware of the warning
signs of child sexual abuse.”
In the late 1990s, the National
Catholic Risk Retention Group,
Inc. created the VIRTUS programs,
which identify best practices
designed to help prevent wrongdo-
Continued on page 11
“Protecting God’s
Participants from around the Diocese of Savannah are shown during
their training as Virtus leaders.
Monsignor Nelson invested as
Prelate of Honor
B ishop J. Kevin Boland invested Monsignor
Francis J. Nelson, V.G., as a Prelate of Honor at
Saint Frances Cabrini Church, September 21. Mon
signor Nelson is pastor of Saint Frances Parish.
The church was packed with well-wishers as the
bishop placed the prelate’s biretta on Monsignor
Nelson’s head after Monsignor William O. O’Neill,
V.F., read the letter from Cardinal Angelo Sodano,
secretary of state, declaring Monsignor Nelson’s ele
vation. Monsignor Nelson has been a Prelate of
Honor from May 20, the date of that letter.
Francis John Nelson was bom in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1939. After complet
ing his studies at Saint Mary’s Seminary and
University, in Baltimore, Maryland, he was ordained
to the priesthood for the Diocese of Savannah in his
home parish, Saint Monica’s, by Bishop Thomas J.
McDonough, on May 14, 1966. After serving as
assistant pastor at Saint Joseph Parish, Macon, Most
Pure Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart, Savannah,
Father Nelson studied Canon Law at The Catholic
University of America, Washington, D.C., where he
earned his licentiate degree in canon law (J.C.L.) in
1972. He served as vice-ojficialis and subsequently
officialis (now called “judicial vicar”) for the Dio
cese of Savannah until his appointment as Vicar
General in 1996. He was pastor of Our Lady of
Lourdes Parish, Port Wentworth, from 1984-1989,
and has been pastor of Saint Frances Cabrini Parish,
Savannah, since 1989.
Monsignor Nelson said, “I am grateful to our Holy
Father, Pope John Paul, to our bishop Boland and to
the people of Saint Frances Cabrini Parish.”
Right: Bishop J. Kevin Boland leads the applause
for Monsignor Francis J. Nelson, after investing
him with the biretta of a Prelate of Honor.
“Late Nite Catechism”
—page 6
La Primera Comunion
—page 11
Summer fun at Saint
Mary’s Home
—page 6
Photo by Jonas N. Jordan.