The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-08

An unceasing defense of the Ro- man Catholic religion over a long period of years has made the South appreciative of it Richard Reid, Editor of the Catholic News, offi- cial organ of the archdiocese of New York, told 8 large group of men and women gathered for the Sixth Annual Catholic Action \Banquet Of Sheridan Council, 24, Knights ot Columbus, last night at the Hotel Elton.
 MT. Reid was the final speaker of a group of distinguished clergymen and laity gathered for this annual event of the K. of c. and the ban- quet itself concluded a days pro- gram which began at Prospect with the blessing of the new bell in St. Anthony's church and followed with memorial services at the graves of Rev. Michael, Monsignor Patrick, and Monsignor John J. McGivney in old St. Joseph's cemetery.
 Laymen's Association
 Opposition to the Catholic church in the South, particularly in Geor- gia, where MT. Reid labored for twenty years as lawyer, educator, and newspaper editor, was due mainly to misunderstanding, most of which has now been removed through a diligent campaign of edu- cation which MT. Reid and other members of the Catholic Laymen's Association of Georgia have suc- cessfully carried on.
 The speaker dwelt at some length on the types of religious pre- judice he has encountered in his work and the means that he and others adopted to correct the false and often ridiculous opinions that were held. Prompt corrections and decisive attacks on propagandistS won for the crusading Catholic edi- tor the respect of the secular press of Georgia and likewise for the church for which he spoke.
 Monsignor Thomas s. Duggan, venerable editor of the Catholic Transcript, preceded MT. Reid on the speaking program and recount ed numerous incidents during his newspaper career which began some forty-four years ago. He ex- pressed deep pleasure at being pres ent to meet and sit with the editor of The Catholic News with whom he had often matched editorial comments in their respective car- eers.
 Rev. Leo M. Finn, Supreme Chap plain of the Knights of Columbus, paid his first official visit to the local council since succeeding to the office held so long in the McGivney family and paid great tribute to his native city as the source and in- spiration of the Catholic lay order. He pointed to the glorious record that Catholics of Waterbury can boast about and urged them to con- tinue to exert such leadership.
 He traced briefly the history and accomplishments of the Knights of Columbus in war and in peace, con- cluding with a citation of figures to prove conclusively that Catholic fraternalism in the United States is not dead.
 William J. Mulligan of Hartford, Master of the Fourth Degree for Connecticut, paid his respects to the local council on behalf of the State Deputy, William J. Shea.
 Mayors Greetings
 Greetings and welcome from the city were extended by Mayor Vim cent A. Scully.
 Grand Knight Charles E. McDon- aid thanked the audience for its at- tendance and the committees for their work on behalf of the coun- cil.
 General Chairman Thomas w. Scadden presented the toastmaster, the Rev. J. Oliver Cronan, chap lain of Sheridan Council, who of- ficiated in his customary excellent manner in presenting the speakers.
 Rev Francis M O'Shea nerr1a.