10 LC 94
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Senate
Resolution 1209
By:
Senators Unterman of the 45th and Murphy of the 27th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
March 10, 2010, as Catholic Day at the state capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Catholic presence in Georgia began with Spanish missionaries in the 16th
Century, and for many years these Franciscan friars maintained a network of
mission stations that stretched from St. Augustine to the Savannah River;
and
WHEREAS,
the Catholic presence in Georgia grew with a simple log church in Locust Grove,
Georgia, where the faithful began worshiping in 1790; and
WHEREAS,
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah was established on July 3, 1850, with its
territory extending over the entire State of Georgia, and included a total of
about 5,000 Catholics; and
WHEREAS,
the Diocese of Atlanta was established in 1956 by separating the northern 69
counties of the state, giving the state two dioceses, Savannah and Atlanta;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1962 the Diocese of Atlanta was elevated to the status of Archdiocese,
becoming the center of an Ecclesiastical Province which now covers the States of
Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and
WHEREAS,
the Diocese of Savannah now covers 90 counties in South Georgia, serving a
population of approximately 80,000 Catholics in 54 parishes and 25 missions and
mission stations; and
WHEREAS,
the Diocese of Savannah also serves five Catholic high schools, 16 elementary
schools, two Catholic hospitals, and many other social service facilities, all
of which are available to all persons without discrimination; and
WHEREAS,
the Archdiocese of Atlanta now has a Catholic population of nearly 850,000 with
87 parishes and 12 missions; and
WHEREAS,
there are four Catholic high schools, 21 elementary schools, and two Catholic
hospitals available to all persons without discrimination in the Archdiocese of
Atlanta; and
WHEREAS,
the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah have, through their
institutions and their people, reached out to serve all people in Georgia,
whether newcomers or long established families, from all parts of the world,
including refugees, immigrants, and those seeking asylum from religious and
political oppression.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
the many members of the Catholic faith in Georgia for their commitment to the
spiritual and temporal welfare of the state and recognize March 10, 2010, as
Catholic Day at the state capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to members of the public and
press.