Leo Cardinal Suenens of Belgium will take part in the 1966-67 program of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Jan. 19, 1967, Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan announced today.

The cardinal, world-renowned for his progressive leadership at Vatican II, has been invited by the School of Theology at Emory University to give three feature lectures at the annual Ministers’ Week Convocation, Jan. 17, 18, and 19.

“Through the gracious cooperation of Dean William Cannon of the Candler School of Theology, it is possible to share the cardinal with the entire Atlanta community,” Archbishop Hallinan said. Cardinal Suenens will deliver a lecture on the church at the Cathedral of Christ the King center.

“In his letter to me,” the archbishop said, “he expressed his willingness to give an open lecture, under the sponsorship of the archdiocese on Thursday evening following the Emory sessions. His zest for Christian dialogue, in the midst of tremendous pastoral duties in his large diocese of Malines, is evident in his comment, ‘I shall be delighted to continue our so short and friendly conversations in Rome.’”

Archbishop Hallinan said Cardinal Suenens, after his forceful speeches and incisive interventions in 1962, was named by Pope Paul as one of four moderators who directed the remaining three sessions. “Young and vigorous, he was everybody’s friend, and conversation with him was both stimulating and encouraging,” the archbishop said.

The cardinal has also spoken to the United Nations on “Pacem In Terris,” and was chosen to pay tribute to Pope John XXIII at his anniversary Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1963.

“The lecture at the cathedral, as well as the Emory lectures, will be open to the whole community,” Father Eusebius Beltran, coordinator said. “It will give priests, sisters and laity of the archdiocese an opportunity to hear one of the finest minds in Catholicism today. The clergy and laity of other faiths are cordially invited to hear one of the Church’s leading spokesmen.”