DATE: June 8, 2001

                                                            NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                bbunce@archdpdx.org

TELEVISION SPECIAL: FIRE TRIED GOLD

        Fire Tried Gold, a docudrama about the history of South Carolina Catholics in the
Diocese of Charleston, will air on the Odyssey cable network on Sunday, July 1, from
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fire Tried Gold presents the story of Bishop John England's vision of a
free church in a free society, follows the ravages of the Civil War and its aftermath as
blacks and whites struggled to learn about equality and social justice, and concludes
with a look at Catholics today as they enter a new millennium.

        Fire Tried Gold explores the painful contrasts through which Catholics in South
Carolina have lived. It tells of Bishop Patrick Lynch, the prelate during the Civil War
who owned slaves, and Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler, who let Civil Rights marches in the
1960's. In the early years of South Carolina's history, Catholics were forbidden by law
from settling there. The Diocese of Charleston is the seventh oldest diocese in the
United States. Though small in number, Catholics in South Carolina were forged
together by dedicated leaders and have contributed to the state's growth and history.

        The Odyssey Network is found on cable channel 18 in Portland and Salem/Keiser,
channel 20 in Eugene, channel 16 in Grants Pass/Rogue River, and channel 29 in
Medford/Ashland areas. Viewers should check local cable listings.
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