Between Vatican II and our Synod, Bishop Bernardin and I went to Washington to take part in the new-styled “National Conference of Catholic Bishops.” Theologically the bishops took another step in collegiality.

Nearly 200 bishops converged in Washington. That is, we converged geographically and fraternally, but not necessarily ideologically. For example, some bishops objected strongly to the timing of the “birth control” statement on governmental pressure of needy families. It is true that the Washington Post, in an editorial, praised the move; but many felt that a happier headline should have introduced the United States, to the new conciliar age of Catholicism.”

But with that over, the bishops got down to the business of the week -- liturgy, war and peace, racial justice, the married diaconate, distribution of priests, seminary renewal. But the press brushed most of this to one side with one question:

“Can Catholics eat meat on Friday?”

The answer came on Friday, Friday night, that is --.

Another Runoff?

Faithfully following a Georgia political tradition, the two Georgia bishops (Bishop McDonough of Savannah, and I of Atlanta) were tied in the vote for membership on the National Administrative Board. Each got 71 votes.

But there were no nasty charges exchanged, no appeal to the Supreme Court.

Unlike the show of “Les and Bo,” both of us were scared. There was room for 30 on the board!

New Man At Holy Helm

Archbishop John F. Dearden of Detroit was elected president. For a warm-hearted but soft-spoken man, the enthusiasm of the bishops and the press was a bit surprising. Once called “Iron John” because of his firmness as seminary rector; and “Old Western Reserve” because of his quiet leadership in Pittsburgh and Detroit, he was recognized as our leading theologian. With foresight and courage, he helped to pilot the pastoral constitution On The Church in the Modern World. Meanwhile back at the Detroit ranch, Archbishop Dearden quietly moved in this direction of bishop-priest communication, inner-city programming and the famous “Project Equality” to eliminate race-discrimination in contracts.

Congratulations, Archbishop! Atlanta pledges its support to the new man on the bridge.

A Corps, Of Course

Deeply concerned over a better distribution of priests, the bishops heard a proposal for a “Priests Corps” from two bishops whose dioceses are woefully short of priests. (The other diocese was New Orleans).

The idea is based on the fact that there are many priests in the large dioceses who do not enjoy the prospect of serving ten or twenty years as an assistant. Many of them do not want to enter the military chaplaincies, or the Latin American field. These men, should have a chance to spend the prime years of their priesthood in a diocese where the need is much greater.

You’ll hear more about all these matters. The American Bishops are about to take a new initiative in revitalizing the Church in the United States.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta