A strengthening of the Newman student movement, a study of education and increased interfaith action has been urged by the resolutions committee of the Young Adults Congress. The proposals will be voted upon Sept. 24-25 when the delegates convene.

The committee recommended in resolutions on the church on the college campus that a special committee should study how to strengthen the Newman Student Federation. The study committee would consist of four students, three lay persons, and two priests, one of whom should be a Newman chaplain.

It also urged the Newman federation to take steps to form a union of all religious clubs -- Christian and Non-Christian -- on the college campus in the spirit of ecumenism. Dialogue among the different religious clubs were also urged, and the committee proposed teaching of accredited college courses in comparative theology and the philosophy of religion. The courses would be open to all interested students.

In education, the committee urged a study of the reasons behind the percentage of drop outs in the CCD program, in-depth teaching of the historical backgrounds of Christianity, Judaism and other religions, workshops on Vatican II for the entire parish and a series of well-publicized lectures on facts of Christian community life.

Workshops in connection with lectures should include encyclicals, pastoral letters, laws passed or being considered, support or nonsupport of public issues (e.g. Vietnam), sacred scripture, the sacraments, particularly marriage, the committee said. It was suggested that an ecumenical library be established to implement the work of adult education and the discussion groups.

Discussing interfaith action, the committee said the archbishop should work with the leaders of other faiths so that events of common interest be held in an accessible location and be supported by extensive publicity. Open house tours of Catholic churches on a yearly basis and more active participation and union with the Atlanta Council of Churches were supported. The committee said the Church should become a full and equal member of the council at the earliest possible date.

In the field of communications, the committee resolved that a liaison committee of seven young adults be formed to establish communication with the archbishop and bishop.

The committee called for meetings and discussions of the clergy, in union with the bishops on ideas and concepts of Church teachings and laws so that one, unified opinion may be expressed by all of the clergy.

“There are often seemingly diverse opinions expressed by different priests on certain subjects because of a lack of understanding and interchange of ideas among the clergy,” the committee said. “This situation is certainly harmful and should be remedied at the earliest possible date so that all ideas and opinions would be unified by one spirit.”

Examples cited were birth control, dating practices and censorship.

The committee resolved that consideration be given to calling of a “Congress of the People of God” within a year to enable all of the “People of God” to work together as one, to encourage and increase intercommunication among the different stations of life.

“This single congress should be convoked on a yearly basis or as often as found to be feasible so that the greater and enriched understanding of God’s people may be brought forth and explored in the light of Christ,” the Committee said.

The committee said that representatives of the Young Adults Congress should attend the priests’ synod.

Frank McBrearity and Mrs. Mary Rauton are serving as lay advisors to the committee.