When the Church in northern Georgia calls upon its priests, sisters and Religious to expend X hours of time, use up X ergs of energy and X paragraphs of words, an explanation is in order. Why is 1966 being designated as a “Year of Reorganization?”

History supplies us with a phrase to answer these questions -- “Ecclesia semper reformanda,” i.e. the Church is always in need of reform.

Her leaders, like the blunt, honest Peter whose faith wavered during the storm of the Sea of Galilee, and whose courage buckled under him during the passion of Jesus. He needed to reform - and he did.

Her great saints, like Augustine who wandered through the inhuman maze of Manichaean philosophy before faith took hold of his heart. He reformed.

The Church’s methods - like her condemnation of Galileo - have been reformed.

Her styles of devotion - once suited to a particular region or nationality or culture -- have been reformed.

Her moral judgements, in the light of increased scientific knowledge, have been changed, i.e., certain kinds of therapeutic abortion and bodily transplants.

What remains? The key word is Ecclesia, -- the Church. This Church of 1966 is the same society of God’s people, the same Mystical Body of Christ that it was in the Protestant revolt, the High Middle Ages, the imperial Rome, and the little band in the Upper Room on Pentecost.

The Church, large or small, triumphant or in anguish, dynamic or sluggish, is still the Church. And we are blessed with membership through baptism, and with participation through doctrine, sacraments and moral guidance. It is a gift, not of complacency, but of responsibility.

Rome and Atlanta

An examination of conscience in public is as healthy for society or government or the professions as it is for a single person -- or the Church. It was this that struck the admiration of many Protestant observers during Vatican II. They had misread the marks of the Church. Many of them had seen it as static and totalitarian. Now they found it in dynamic motion, and much of this motion came from bishops all over the world; theologians who had been shunned; sisters and laymen finding an outlet for their voice in the Church for the first time. Far from being shocked by the clashing of views, the accusations and counter-charges, the human workings of the Council, all observers were edified and encouraged.

Now something similar is taking place in Atlanta. It is not being called “a little Council,” but a Synod because that is the historical name given to provincial or regional assemblies. But in addition to the Synod in November, two other vital events will occur. In this spring, the laity of the archdiocese will meet to make recommendations to the Synod. And the sisters will meet for the same purpose.

Answers And Questions

What sort of things will be discussed? Since the agenda of the events is evolving as the three groups study and evaluate the possibilities, it is impossible to reply accurately to this question. It suffices to say that it is no cut and dried outline, prepared by the bishops and his staff, with loaded questions that will lead to loaded answers. Like, “Who has the authority to regulate the teaching and liturgical life of the archdiocese?” Answer: the archbishop.

Catholics already know this. They realize that the bishop, priest, sisters and laymen each has his role, his rights and responsibilities. The Congress and Synod series is to explore.

(1) What is the proper role of each?

(2) How can all four best work together?

The Council has left us an aftermath of problems. Out of this are emerging certain types of Catholics. There is room for them all -- if each remembers the importance of others. There are others who couldn’t care less -- Latin? English? Ecumenical? Schecumenical, as the Broadway touts say. There are those who are bewildered because they haven’t read or listened to the Church these past four years. There are (Thank God) the skilled teachers, as well as scholars and specialists, who have pointed the way. There are the foolish virgins who talk the new jargon, but betray their trust by disliking those who disagree. And there are the stubborn ones, the resisters who would like to pretend that Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, and Paul VI never existed, and that Vatican II never happened.

And then there are the great bulk of good Catholics, loyal to the Church and studying her new ways, people like the parents, the old friends, priests and sisters of the immediate past. They will always “Carry the Church” while others mill around.

Now in 1966, all of them are invited to come together to do for the archdiocese what the Council did for the universal Church. In other years you were asked to give your time, energies, money. Now you are asked to give an even greater gift - yourself.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta