The Senate of priest has adopted its first constitution as a guide in assisting the bishops in the government of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

The constitution was passed Friday after senators and priests discussed its articles. It will become effective when it is promulgated by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan.

Father Walter Donovan, Senate president and pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament parish, said in a brief talk before the constitution was discussed that “the Senate is designed to create cohesion among the priest, to make our collective will known and to pursue collective objectives.

“For centuries, the Church has operated as a monarchy and assumed its trappings. We must guard against adopting the trappings yet we must not change the substance of the Church.”

The constitution says the Senate is designed to assist the archbishop through effectively expressing the minds and wills of the priests in parochial and archdiocesan matters and to aid clergy in their spiritual and material needs.

The Senate, the constitution says, is an advisory and consultative body, but does not in itself have legislative power.

The constitution also called for increasing Senate membership from 11 to 13. One diocesan priest and a religious priest would be added to the Senate as at-large members after being elected by diocesan and religious priests in separate elections.

In dealing with relations between the Senate and archbishop, the constitution said the archbishop is invited to be present at all meetings of the Senate, may call meetings of the Senate and may suggest to the Senate areas of special concern. Father Donovan said, “Priests should discuss delicate matters in the presence of bishops. Freedom sometimes involves risk and it’s a lesson we will have to learn.”

The assembly of priests also voted to hold two general meetings every year. The motion was made by Father Daniel J. O’Connor.

In other business, the priests heard a report from Father Eusebius J. Beltran, secretary of priests, discussed salary policies, retirement, stipends and stole fees and ownership of automobiles.

Father Beltran said “For the past two years the archdiocese has endeavored to bring priests together in intellectual and spiritual gatherings.” He cited as two examples the visits of Father Bernard Haring, prominent Redemptorist and Cardinal Suenens.

“Our priests have requested one day a month where they could come together for a day of recollection and concelebrate Mass. I think we should have pastors and assistants together.”

In discussing salaries and retirement, Father Donovan said he did not think the Senate’s pay raise recommendation was outlandish. “It will be a continuing problem and nuns and priests should receive a fair wage.

“Five years ago priests did not retire and in their fading years they neglected many things and their parishes suffered,” he said.

Father John D. Stapleton reported on a retirement program and said more work will be done on it. He said the question of retirement will come up in May.

The priests agreed that additional work will have to be on the question of stipends and stole fees. Msgr. Michael Manning and Father Thomas J. Roshetko, S.M., have headed the committee.

Father Paul Kelley suggested stipends and stole fees be studied from pastoral and theological points of view.

In a voice vote priests attending the assembly favored the present system of parishes owning the priests’ car. However, they did discuss a proposal for allowance if priests are required to own their automobiles.

Fathers Kelley, Frank Ruff and Michael A. Morris served on the constitution and by-laws committee.