H*4174 Concurrent Resolution, By J.L.M. Cromer, Keegan, Kelley, Quinn and 
Sheheen
 A Concurrent Resolution congratulating the Catholic Diocese of Charleston on
 the occasion of its 175th anniversary and designating July 11, 1995, as
 "Diocese of Charleston Day in South Carolina".

   05/02/95  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-2
   05/03/95  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-4

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 175TH ANNIVERSARY AND DESIGNATING JULY 11, 1995, AS "DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA".

Whereas, the Catholic Diocese of Charleston was established on July 11, 1820, and the first bishop of the diocese was Bishop John England, who was born in Cork, Ireland; and

Whereas, when Bishop England came to Charleston, James Monroe was President of the United States, Thomas Bennett was Governor of South Carolina, and Elias Horrey was Mayor of Charleston; and

Whereas, at that time the new diocese of 142,000 square miles was spread over three states -- North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; there were only two churches, one in Charleston and one in Augusta, and only six priests were available to serve the handful of scattered Catholics; and

Whereas, today the Diocese of Charleston comprises the entire State of South Carolina; its present Bishop is the Most Reverend David B. Thompson, who is the eleventh bishop to preside over the diocese; he was appointed Co-adjutor Bishop of Charleston on April 22, 1989, and succeeded as Bishop of Charleston on February 22, 1990; and

Whereas, from its beginning in 1820 until the present day 175 years later, the diocese has developed slowly but surely under the devoted leadership of its bishops: John England (1820-1842), Ignatius Reynolds (1844-1855), Patrick N. Lynch (1858-1882), Henry P. Northrop (1883-1916), William T. Russell (1917-1927), Emmet M. Walsh (1927-1949), John J. Russell (1950-1958), Paul J. Hallinan (1958-1962), Francis F. Reh (1962-1964), Ernest L. Unterkoefler (1964-1990), and David B. Thompson, its present bishop; and

Whereas, the Catholic laity and clergy of South Carolina are excited about their accomplishments over the last 175 years and are deserving of recognition and congratulations on this very special occasion. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulates the Catholic Diocese of Charleston on the occasion of its 175th anniversary and designates July 11, 1995, as "Diocese of Charleston Day in South Carolina".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Most Reverend David B. Thompson, Bishop of Charleston, at Charleston, South Carolina.