The Senate of Priests has been asked to obtain reports on the work of all archdiocesan social service agencies to see if they are meeting the needs of the poor.

In a report to the Senate Friday, Father Arthur Murray, O.F.M., pastor of Immaculate Conception, said, “In our efforts to deal with many of the problems that come to us as parish priests, and restricting myself to these problems that arise from poverty and its consequences, we feel most inadequate in handling these situations because we do not know where to turn for assistance.”

“We do not believe that the social service agencies as they exist in the archdiocese are rendering the assistance we need,” Father Arthur said. He served as chairman of a committee on poverty.

Father Arthur said the Senate should invite the agencies’ directors to explain the scope of their work, what areas they cover or do not cover, what services are available and how they can be obtained.

“It is our opinion that if we are to be effective in dealing with this poverty program as it exists within a given parish, then this information should be readily available to every parish priest,” Father Arthur said.

Father Arthur said his committee wanted to commend what has been done in assisting the 2,000 Cuban refugees who have come to Atlanta.

He cited the work of Father Marion Schuck and Father Raphael McDonald in assisting the refugees. “We do not have a ghetto condition in the archdiocese as far as the Cubans are concerned. Their greatest needs are priests who speak Spanish because it is not possible for one or two priests to handle the spiritual needs of all these people.”

Father Arthur said priests need to study Spanish in seminary and be permitted to spend time in Mexico or Puerto Rico to learn the language and customs.

After the report, Father John McDonough, Senate president, said, “Father James Scherer, secretary of Catholic Social Services has the same view as you do. Father Scherer has written to me and said his department needs better communications with the committee.”

Father Paul Kelley said the St. Vincent de Paul Society had done a good job. “Joe Flanagan can give you a good rundown,” he added.

In other business, the Senate took steps to affiliate with the national federation of priests now being formed and heard reports on liturgical and ecumenical activities.

Upon the recommendation of Father Michael A. Morris, the Senate approved sending delegates to the May 20-21 priests’ meeting in Chicago and gave them the power to ratify or not to ratify the federation’s constitution.

The Atlanta Senate will host a provincial meeting of associations between now and the Chicago meeting. The date was tentatively established for late April.

Father McDonough said, “Even though I may have some reservations about the federation, it seems we should belong to it.” Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin said, “I’d like to go on record as saying that ideologically I’m in favor of the national federation. And, practically speaking, there is nothing that can be done to stop it.”

The bishop added, “I would like for you to consider how priests, the Senate or some clergy group could be given an effective consultative role in the assignment of priests. No one has come up with a workable plan.”

In his report, Father Henry Gracz, priest-secretary of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission, said the basic question is how can the commission serve parishes, hospitals, schools.

Father R. Donald Kiernan, Senate vice president, said the Liturgy Commission should visit parishes “to see the liturgy at work and not listen to hearsay about defects.”

Father Matthew Kemp, priest-secretary of the Archdiocesan Religious Unity Commission, said the most concrete work in ecumenism have been two prayer services - one between Catholics and Lutherans, the other during Christian Unity Week.

“We are working toward the archdiocese formally joining the Georgia Council of Churches and we would like to have members of other churches on our commission, at least as associate members.”

Father Kemp, commenting on a story last week which said Atlanta area ministers at a meeting of the Christian Council had given overwhelming approval to a liberalized abortion bill, said, “They voted as individuals and not as council members. Bishop Bernardin wanted a Catholic minority report filed with the governor, but it was pointed out we could not express a minority report because we weren’t members of the council.”

Father Eusebius Beltran, in a report on the life and ministry of priests, said, “We are gathering data from other dioceses. We will compile it and have our priests discuss it.” He said many priests have asked about retreats.

In another development, Bishop Bernardin said an ecumenical “Day of Awareness” is planned in the field of poverty. “Unless we cooperate with other churches, we will never make any headway with poverty.”

Father Frank Ruff added, “I’m aware of the urban crisis, but I hope the Church won’t forget the poor in rural areas.”