The Reverend James L. Harrison, principal of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, has been transferred to the pastorate of St. Michael’s, Gainesville.

This was announced this week by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan who also named Rev. John J. Cotter, assistant principal of St. Pius X High School, to be acting principal.

Father Harrison succeeds the Rev. R. Donald Kiernan who has been appointed pastor of St. Anthony’s (West End) Atlanta.

Archbishop Hallinan, in expressing the esteem of the archdiocese for Father Harrison’s excellent record as first principal of St. Pius X High School said:

“It is no easy task to launch a new school, to give it identity and stature in the educational community, to guide the lives of young men and women to intellectual and moral excellence. Father Harrison has done this so well that the spirit of Pius X is known throughout the south. Repeated awards in journalism and debating, spirited progress in a sound athletic program climaxed now in a fine new stadium -- these are the obvious signs of success. But where Father Harrison has added his own special impetus to in the center of education -- a splendid faculty, constant evaluation, accreditation, new methods and the happy harvest of graduates winning scholarships at our finest colleges and universities.”

“Father Cotter, already a vital part of the Pius X tradition, is now named as acting principal. To Father Harrison for an outstanding record and his new pastoral assignment, and to Father Cotter for a promising future, our heartiest good wishes.”

Father Harrison’s appointment as pastor at Gainesville is effective December 15th. However, he will continue his duties as principal of Pius X until December 22nd.

Father Harrison was born in Atlanta and was educated at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He has studied at the University of Georgia in Athens. He was ordained in Rome, in 1955 and has served in the archdiocese since 1956. Since 1958, he has been principal of St. Pius X Catholic High School.

Father Cotter, also a native of Atlanta, was educated at St. Bernard Seminary in Alabama, at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, and at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina. He was ordained at the Cathedral of Christ the King in 1960 and was assigned of Our Lady of the Assumption, here in Atlanta, until 1962, when he became a member of the faculty of St. Pius X High School.