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Church
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C.U. Priest entering church
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C.U. Mrs. Gaillot carrying sign
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Bishop Tracy
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Rear shot, people in church
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Bishop Perry, woman with protest sign, church, other bishops.




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On January 6th, America's first Negro Roman Catholic bishop in the 20th century, Father Harold Perry, was consecrated in New Orleans.

Prelates and priests crowded the St. Louis Basilica, America's oldest cathedral, for the consecration and the celebration of the mass.

Bishop Perry, the central figure in the historic drama, walked with his eyes downcast, palms pressed in an attitude of prayer
There was one dissenting vote: a New Orleans woman, Mrs B. J. Gaillot, stood by the procession while holding a placard which read, "Remember them Old Lord, My God, that defile the priesthood." Another sign she had, said, "Jesus did not choose non-white apostles."
Mrs. Gaillot paced alone in front of the basilica, drawing curious glances from the priests who had gathered in front for the procession. Mrs. Gaillot heads a segregationist organisation called Save Our Nation, and was one of three persons excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church for continuing to fight against desegregation of parochial schools in the New Orleans area in 1961.

The rites were conferred on Bishop Perry by Bishop Igezio Vagnosti, the Apostolic delegate to the United States. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Robert Tracy of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Bishop Perry, the son of a rice mill worker, has been elevated to Auxiliary Bishop of the New Orleans archdiocese with spiritual authority over 650 thousand Catholics.