Father James Scherer, secretary of Catholic Social Services, has called a report to Senate of Priests on archdiocesan efforts to aid the poor an “insult” and “unjust.”

His comments were made in a letter to Father John McDonough, Senate president, dated March 15. The report to the Senate on poverty appeared in the March 14 issue of the Georgia Bulletin.

In his letter, Father Scherer said, “The article stated that many priests felt most inadequate in handling these situations because they did not know where to turn for assistance. I find it extremely difficult to believe that any committee would make an objective report on poverty as reflected in the work of all archdiocesan social service agencies without previously contacting them.”

Father Scherer referred to the report given by Father Arthur Murray, O.F.M., pastor of Immaculate Conception. Father Arthur 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.”

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. He also said, “We do not believe that the social service agencies as they exist in the archdiocese are rendering the assistance we need.”

Father Scherer told Father McDonough that he wrote him on Feb. 13 asking to appear before an open session of the Senate to explain the work of the Department of Catholic Social Services.

Father Scherer also said he requested definite communication with the Committee on Poverty. He said the request was made two weeks prior to the date of the committee’s report.

“Considering the efforts on behalf of the department, I find it very discouraging to read such an unjust article as headlined on page 1 of the Georgia Bulletin.” “As secretary of the department, I feel this is an insult to the department and Board of Catholic Social Services and to the St. Vincent de Paul Society which if you read its newsletter sent to all priests, you will be aware of the fine work that is being done.”

“There may be a lack of communication between the Department of Catholic Social Services and the Senate of Priests, but I feel the responsibility for this discrepancy rests upon the Senate.”

“I cannot see how we are ever going to promote unity among our priests and within the archdiocese when its Senate tolerates such injustices to be published,” Father Scherer commented.

Father Scherer said he wrote to Father Walter J. Donovan, then Senate president, on Jan. 17, 1968 telling him that there seemed to be confusion among priests and laity on the function and services of the Department of Catholic Social Services. He said his letter requesting a chance to speak to the Senate was not answered.