Pope Paul VI has honored eight members of the laity of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, conferring on them the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope).

The news was relayed this week to Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, from Washington, D.C.

Those honored by the Pope, at Archbishop Hallinan’s recommendation, are:

Parish of Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta

Mr. George Boulineau, Mrs. Gladys Gunning

Parish of Sacred Heart, Atlanta

Mr. Robert Troutman, Sr.

Parish of St. Thomas More, Decatur

Mrs. Cecelia McLauchlin

Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, Decatur

Mrs. Helen Beltran

Parish of St, Joseph, Athens

Mr. Thomas Gerdine

Parish of St. Mary, Rome

Mr. Marshall Wellborn

Miss Janie Fahy

The citations accompanying the awards reads as follows:

Mr. George Boulineau

(Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, Georgia)

Since its beginning the Cathedral has been blessed by having this genuine Catholic parishioner. Engaged in all parish activities, he has at the same time given his time and talents to the Church at large, aiding greatly in the development of the Marist School and numerous diocesan projects. It has been, however, the noble work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society that has most consistently claimed his generous spirit -- forming councils, serving his own parish by visiting the needy and collecting for them on Sunday mornings. In the words of his pastor, George Boulineau is “a truly Christian gentleman.”

Mr. Thomas Gerdine

(Saint Joseph’s parish, Athens, Georgia)

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Mr. Gerdine returned to the city and became an active member of St. Joseph’s Church. His spirited part in parochial activities led to wider Catholic concerns -- especially in Saint Joseph’s Church. His spirited part in parochial activities led to wider Catholic concerns -- especially in Saint Joseph’s Home for Dependent Children in Washington, Georgia, and Saint Mary’s Hospital, Athens. As both of these institutions move into new facilities, and new chapters in their history, the loyal cooperation of Thomas Gerdine is one of the significant factors in their development.

Mr. Robert Troutman, Sr.

(Saint Mary’s parish, Rome, Georgia)

Born in a devout Methodist family, his father a minister, Mr. Troutman Sr., brought to the Catholic Church in 1959 a deep Christian culture and broad inclusive spirit. This endowment he has generously shared, especially in his work with the Archdiocesan Commission on Unity. He has served his parish well; charter member and past president of the Board of Christian Doctrine, now director of one of its study groups; member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Third Order of Mary. His interests are wide, including a long-time study of Saint Joan of Arc and her times. His leadership has been quiet, skilled, and extremely effective both in the community and the Church.

Mr. Marshall Wellborn

(Saints Mary’s Parish, Rome, Georgia)

Marshall Wellborn’s name recalls a noble page of Georgia Catholicism. In 1916, a band of men formed the Georgia Catholic Laymen’s Association. With courage and prudence they published the Georgia Bulletin, answered the questions of honest inquirers, and reduced the taunts of bigots. In addition to leading the branch in Rome, he was twice president of the Association in the 1940’s. Presently he is serving on the advisory board of the Home for Dependent Children. Mr. Wellborn is that authentic Catholic; loyal to his parish, aware of the needs of the Church at large, respected and valued in his own community.

Mrs. Helen Beltran

(Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Decatur, Georgia)

The world is blessed when the goodness of parents lives on in their children; the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Beltran have extended the Catholic lives of their parents into many places. Two are priests of the Archdiocese of Atlanta - Father Joseph and Father Eusebius Beltran. Two are Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis - Sister Sponsa and Corona. Two daughters are married with families in Conyers and Germany. Two are still in school. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Beltran moved from Gainseville to Decatur where she has been active in the Ladies Auxiliary of her parish and in the Third Order of St. Francis. “Her heroic dedication,” writes her pastor, “has been an inspiration to her family to treasure their faith and live by it.”

Miss Janie Fahy

(Saint Mary’s Parish, Rome, Georgia)

The story of the Church in Rome, Georgia, is one too of missionary growth. Miss Janie Fahy and her family, lifelong residents, have been a significant part of it. In their home, among other Catholic pioneer families, priests and sisters stayed when they came to Rome for Mass and instructions. Miss Fahy has continued that tradition as the parish grew. Twice she was president of the Council of Catholic Women. Visiting the sick, caring for the altar, sewing for the Cancer Home, she is an ideal of the Christian woman formed by virtues of faith, hope and charity.

Mrs. Gladys Gunning

(Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, Georgia)

There has scarcely been any phase of Catholic activity that has not been quietly enhanced by Mrs. Gunning’s efforts and achievements. She has been president of the Parish Council, the Parent’s Association, and the Altar Society in her own parish. Through the archdiocese, her fine spiritual leadership was felt during her administration as president of the Council of Catholic Women. Deeply interested in the welfare of the whole Atlanta community, she is active in the commission on unity, and is presently vice-chairman of the legislation committee of the National Council of Catholic Women. Mrs. Gunning is an authentic example of the truly representative Catholic woman.

Mrs. Cecelia McLauchlin

(Saint Thomas More Parish, Decatur, Georgia)

Twenty-five years ago, Mrs. McLauchlin began a long vocation of compassion. She founded the Sewing Guild to provide Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home with bandages and other supplies of mercy. Into the sewing of these valued items she drew other dedicated women of many different faiths. Thousands upon thousands of the bandages have poured forth from their regular meetings at the Immaculate Conception Church. In St. Thomas More, her own parish, she has brought the same zeal and untiring labor to every parochial activity.

Pope Leo XIII commemorated the golden anniversary of his ordination by instituting this cross. It was intended originally to reward those who distinguished themselves in organizing the Vatican exposition of gifts from all over the world he received on the occasion. Originally it was issued in three degrees -- gold, silver and bronze. Pope St. Pius X in 1908 ordered that it come only in gold.

The four arms of the cross are adorned with a comet and between the arms are four lilies; symbols borrowed from the coat of arms of the Pecci family of Pope Leo. In the middle of the cross is a medal bearing the bust of the Pope with his inscription: “Leo XIII, P.M. Ann. X” (the tenth year of his pontificate). On the medal reverse are the tiara and the papal keys with the words “Pro Ecclesia et Ponitifice.” It is worn on a red, white and yellow ribbon on the left chest.

Date for ceremony for conferring the awards on those honored will be announced soon.