The Archdiocesan Synod, urged to make decisions worthy of the next 10 years, began its work Monday and was asked to face celibacy. The job of investigating the question fell to the newly established Senate of Priests.

Father Dale Freeman told synod members that “celibacy should be discussed within the synod while most priests are present.” Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan called for a detailed study of the question but said he was against casual polling of priests at the synod. “I am in sympathy with the study and I will be glad to send to the Holy See the results of the study including comments from the laity.” He added, “It should be a detailed study with full consideration of the economic, sociological and psychological aspects.” Elected to the Priests’ Senate were Fathers Michael Manning, Walter Donovan, John Stapleton, R. Donald Kiernan, Eusebius J. Beltran, Dale Freeman, Michael Anthony Morris, Paul Kelley, Thomas Roshetko, religious superior, and Frank Ruff, non-superior religious. A retired priest will be named to the Senate later.

Formation of the senate was welcomed by Archbishop Hallinan who said, “Bishop Bernardin and I are delighted that our priests have initiated the move toward a Priests’ Senate -- it is completely in keeping with the decree of the council. It should enkindle the initiative of our priests, increase our people’s confidence in them and give the bishops a broader base of responsibility.”

Father Freeman, in discussing celibacy, asked for a poll on the question of “Are you in favor of an optimal vow of celibacy rather than a required vow of celibacy relative to the priesthood?” He asked that consideration be given to whether the Church should require a man to give up perpetually a natural right (marriage) when neither the nature nor the ordinary work or circumstances of the priesthood necessitate the celibate state. He also said vocations were at an alarming low and that the vow of celibacy was a major obstacle to the priesthood for many young men, and in the case of married men who would like to serve in the priestly apostolate.

“Married ministers who join the Catholic Church and who would like to serve in a priestly role find the law of celibacy a difficult if not impossible obstacle to pass,” Father Freeman said.

The discussion on celibacy came up when priests were discussing the draft on priests of the Church. The draft passed with 44 yes votes, and 30 reservation votes. Four voted no.

Two other drafts -- sisters of the Church and the structure of the archdiocese -- also resulted in considerable discussion. Father Conald Foust, saying he represented a group of sisters, said the draft did not represent their views and asked that it be rejected and rewritten by the sisters. The draft eventually was approved with 46 yes votes, 23 yes with reservation votes. Eight priests voted no and two abstained.

The idea of “shared authority” was discussed at length and passed by 27 yes votes, 43 with reservations. Nine priests voted against it. The discussion was spearheaded by Father Richard Kieran, who said he was speaking for 25 priests.

The draft said the synod “bases the structure of the archdiocese on ‘shared authority,’ that is, a jurisdiction enlarged, under the influence of the recent council, by a true consultative process.” It then discussed legislative authority and executive authority. Bishop Bernardin and Father Kieran and others that they were not far apart on their ideals, adding more work was needed on the draft.

The synod also discussed the role of the lay people in the Church and Father Foust called for a congress of laity, religious and clergy at intervals during the next 10 years. The draft said, “Recognizing their place in the human family of God’s people, laymen and women of today are charged and challenged with the continuous revitalization of that family in love, so that it lives ever more faithfully and effectively as the Sign of Christ, drawing all men to union with Him.”

In remarks opening the synod, Archbishop Hallinan said to the priests, observers and auditors, “We thank you for being here, and it is no empty formula when we ask that you pray with us that the decisions of the next three days will produce deeds worthy of the next 10 years. There will be many assemblies, large and small, within that decade, but this synod will enact the basic decrees and provide the guidelines.” “The priests and bishops present differ in experience, age, training and outlook. This healthy diversity is a true reflection of the humanity of the Church. But it is diversity working in unity; not a uniformity which can crush personality, but a unity which can vitalize and enrich it.”

“A synod is one of the highest moments in the life of the Church. Only a general council and a national conference of bishops have greater authority and influence. In the great councils, history has discovered them to be, allowing for some schisms and setbacks, true instruments of unity.”

“We are characterized these days as old breed and new breed, liberals and conservatives, those who want to renew and those who want to resist. These distinctions are inevitable, and for the most part healthy,” he commented.

The archbishop said, “In the pursuit, under God, of reasonable law and quickened charity, with trust in each other, this first synod of the Archdiocese of Atlanta is convened. May the Holy Spirit, almost overwhelming as he brooded four years over the Vatican Council, breathe now over the red clay of this state, upon this part of God’s people, opening eyes and hearts to such a broad vision and faith that we may love each other the more and stand in His Church as those who serve.”

In Tuesday’s session, the delegates spent a great deal of time discussing parochial education. Father Daniel J. O’Connor, executive secretary of the Catholic Board of Education, said the synod must talk about the possible phasing out of schools. He did not recommend that it be done, but said the question should be discussed.

He pointed out that out of 200 teachers in the parochial schools, 55 have no degrees and they earn less money than public school teachers. He said parochial schools will have to be accredited because the “whole idea of federal aid to education is to make schools pull themselves up.” He said because parochial schools are not accredited they have to pay the state sales tax while the accredited schools do not.

The priests debated at length on whether to keep a 1972 deadline on accreditation. They retained it in the education draft by a vote of 55 to 23.

The question of birth control was touched on briefly at the session. Father Kelley called for the formation of a commission composed of priests, laymen, doctors, theologians to study the question. “The Synod was honest in recognizing the problems of clerical celibacy for some and we must recognize the problems of the married in birth control,” he said.

The synod also discussed the forms of Penance -- private confession and communal confession. Father John L. Hein, S.J., said when no serious sin is involved communal confession should be considered. Others, including Father Matthew Kemp, wanted a communal service held before private confession.

Archbishop Hallinan, in discussing the subject, said, “I would say that for our diocese I would not permit any practice beyond private confession in a communal setting. We shouldn’t endanger the right of a person to absolute privacy and advice.” Father John McDonough, a member of the steering committee, said, “It will take time and education on communal confession.”

The discussion of Baptism, re-baptism and valid baptism resulted in the appointment of a committee to study the questions raised. Named to the panel were Father Abbot Augustine, Fathers Kemp and William Calhoun.

The work of the synod was attained by several observers who watched the priests discuss the drafts. They included Bishop Randolph Clairborne of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta; Canon Milton Wood; Dean David Collins of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip; the Rev. Raymond Buck, pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension;

The Rev. Daniel Brand, pastor of St. Andrew United Presbyterian Church; Don McEvoy of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; Charles Wittenstein, southeast area director of the American Jewish Committee; Mike Gettinger of the Jewish Community Council; and Father Herman Goumenis, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension.

Most of them made brief remarks to the Synod and some of them had comments read by delegates on various issues.