The Young Adults Congress in two days of discussion made recommendations which would partially reshape the Church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the world.

Delegates approved recommendations at the congress Saturday and Sunday calling for an archdiocesan congress of the People of God (priests, nuns and laymen) within two years, parochial school system, the use of three forms of confession, a change in the law on abstinence and reconsideration of the Church’s law on mandatory celibacy for priests. The resolution on celibacy was passed without debate.

The final report of the resolutions and three parts of the organization committee of the Council of Young Adults will be published in the BULLETIN when it is compiled.

The recommendations of the Young Adults Congress, the Lay Congress and the Sisters’ Congress will go to the Synod of Priests, which will meet in November. Final reports will be submitted to Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan, who called the congresses.

Delegates also recommended that the proposed Catholic lay center in downtown Atlanta be developed as an ecumenical center for social problems with the assistance of other denominations in its construction and operation.

Young adults called for experimental Masses, the saying of the Canon of the Mass in the vernacular, Masses which would include modern liturgical music and a homily directed toward young adults and evening Masses on a regular basis in the parishes.

Delegates also favored reexamining the Church’s teachings on marriage annulments and dissolutions on the grounds of spiritual, psychic and emotional impotency by a commission of married couples, professional people, theologians and other clergy and that the results be brought to the attention of the proper authorities.

Discussion confession, the delegates said they would like to see the form include the old form of confession, a form in which the penitent talks openly with the priest in a room and receives direction and absolution and an open forum type of confession which would include general absolution.

The congress said the synod should discuss the Friday law of abstinence, adding that abstinence should not be binding under the pain of sin, but left to the individual conscience.

Delegates commended the archbishop, Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin and priests for their work in ecumenism and said a young adults interfaith council should be established. The congress also urged young adults to give their time to service organizations regardless of religion or race.

In calling for a dialogue among priests in the archdiocese, the congress modified its original resolution which had called for unified opinion on such matters as birth control, dating practices and censorship. The amended proposal suggested priests meet and discuss church doctrine to better understand each other.

In an informal address to the congress, Archbishop Hallinan said the synod will receive the formal recommendations and they will not be ignored. “The synod will be held under existing canon law. ‘Therefore, the ultimate responsibility rests with the archbishop, the clergy has a deliberative vote and the laity is called on for consultation.’”

The archbishop said he was impressed by the amount of thought and insight in the resolutions. “It cannot help but be inspiring because we are the People of God, the Family of God,” he added.

The archbishop said the request for an examination of the form of confession was certainly in keeping with Vatican II. In discussing a resolution asking for a complete list of de fide teachings of the Church, Archbishop Hallinan said, “I can see the reasons for the request, but starting with the Apostles’ Creed one priest has counted 210 de fide teachings.” “I know the temptation of having a complete list, but at the present time we must be more concerned with the voice of God...the voice of the faithful. This is the keynote of dialogue.”

Commenting on priests having a united opinion, the archbishop said, “I often think it would be a good idea, but I change my mind five minutes later.”

“Priests differ by temperament, by training...this is an era of flexibility, we sometimes express ourselves immaturely and discussion will be done in the holy liberty of the people of God.”

In a humorous vein, Archbishop Hallinan said, “I don’t think you would want me to send out a list of opinions to the priests everyday.”

Earlier, the delegates heard Paul Shields, news director of WAGA-TV, urge in his keynote address that they take an active, meaningful role in the life of the Church.

“In reading over the lists of proposed resolutions for the congress, I will tell you that many of them have great merit, but some of them also give me great concern.”

Shields said these were the resolutions calling for young adults to assist priests in answering doorbells and telephones at the rectory and urging that koffee klatches be held under the individual sponsorship of the parish after Sunday Mass.

He said these were not bad in themselves, but “this is a new time in the Church, this is the chance to do something. Politics, civic affairs and business affairs, that’s where Christian morality is needed. There is poverty, family tragedy, filth, squalor and sordid cheapness that is just as meaningful to thousands of our brothers as this congress is to us.”

“Out there is where we are needed, that’s where the challenge is. It’s not in the lecture hall, or the rectory...the time is long overdue for us to get out, get involved and to bring the love of Christ to our less fortunate brothers.”

Shields said the laity must accept the challenges given by Pope John and the sacrifice of Pope Paul.

The congress was highlighted Sunday by a Folk Mass concelebrated by Bishop Bernardin, Father Paul Kelley, priest-consultant to the congress, and Father Conald Faust.

Officers of the Young Adults Congress are James Altwies, president; Linda Schladenhauffen, vice president; Faith Mitchell, secretary; and Jim Wallace, treasurer.

Alan Jones served as chairman of the resolutions committee and Michael Redmond was chairman of the organization committee.

Serving as advisors to the congress were Mary Rauton, Frank McBrearity, John Noonan and Felmer Cummings.