Since our Catholic schools were completely integrated in September 1962, the question of the admission policy of our Catholic hospitals is the next logical step. The Catholic hospitals, as distinct form our schools, are dependent upon the support of the entire community; they must make changes carefully to insure their continued effect service.

To understand the vital role of a Catholic hospital in serving the health needs of the community, it is necessary to grasp two points:

(1) Like all non-public institutions, it must win and maintain full public confidence so that donations and regular income will sustain it.

(2) Because it is Catholic, it reflects the full teaching of the Church, not only in works of mercy and charity, but in the demonstration of social justice. Whatever concessions are made to local custom, no Catholic hospital in our archdiocese could be permanently bound to segregation as a matter of fixed policy.

No citizens, white or Negro, can be in doubt about the Church’s teaching on racial justice in this archdiocese, or her honest determination to carry this out in practice. Accordingly, with the full cooperation of the sister administrators, I wish to announce the new open admission policy in our archdiocese. This means that all hospital patients will be admitted without regard to race or color. In Atlanta, this policy is already in effect at Saint Joseph’s Infirmary, according to Sister M. Josetta, R.S.M., administrator, and at the new Holy Family Hospital as soon as it opens, according to Sister Theophane, S.C.M.M., Administrator.

Assignment of hospital space to patients will be made on the basis of medical and surgical need, not the basis of race or color. There will be no separated section for any racial group.

We are confident that the new policy, which is in keeping with sound economic hospital operation and good civic relations, as well as the moral law, will enable our hospitals to serve the community with the same skill and compassion that have become their treasured tradition.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop Of Atlanta