Vatican Backing For Archbishop’s Stand

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 11

Vatican Backing For Archbishop’s Stand

(N^J’ut.-Reuter— Copyright)

VATTCAN CITY, April 17. The Vatican, now preparing to eanoniae its first negro-blooded saint, firmly backs an American Roman Catholic Archbishop's excommunication of three segregationists, Vatican sources said today, according to the Associated Press. Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel, of New Orleans, was declared to have—as do all bishops and archbishops of the Church—full authority for his action. “The fact that he took it,” these sources said “indicates he proba>bly had no alternative.” The same sources recalled, that the . Archbishop’s fight against racism in his archdiocese was of long standing and that the Vatican’s "L’Osservatore Romano.” on October 11, 1&55, in a stern editorial entitled “Stains of Race” had approved his action. At that time, the New Orleans archbishop defended a negro priest who had been prevented from serving Mass. In New Orleans, today an excommunicated Roman Catholic segregationist fell on her knees before the Archbishop and begged him to admit that he was wrong in integrating parochial schools. The segregationist, Mrs B. J. Gaillott, barelegged and wearing, an old house coat, fell on her knees before Archbishop Rummel. The 42-year-old mother of three, denied the sacraments

for opposing the Archbishop on the race issue, told him she begged his mercy but was not apologising for her segregationist actions. United Press International reported. “Look up to Heaven and admit you know God's law is to segregate.” she told him before a group of pilgrims gathered for a Holy Week service. Mrs Gaillot said the Archbishop gave her no answer.