Archbishop John F. Dearden, president of the United States Catholic Conference, has announced Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin’s election by the administrative board as general secretary of the U.S.C.C. In this capacity, the bishop will also serve as general secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (N.C.C.B.)

The Holy See approved the election several days ago. The appointment will require that Bishop Bernardin live in Washington, D.C.

“As General Secretary, it will be my task to coordinate the many activities and programs sponsored by the Bishops on the national level. The N.C.C.B. is the body established by church law for this purpose. The U.S.C.C. is the legally incorporated entity which is primarily responsible for the activities of the bishops working with others in social, economic, educational and public affairs.”

“I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the administrative board, for without doubt this is the greatest challenge I have ever faced. I hope to justify that confidence and meet that challenge by offering my best efforts to the church in this new position. I look forward to my association with the many dedicated staff members, both clerical and lay, the N.C.C.B. and the U.S.C.C.

“Needless to say, it will not be easy to leave Atlanta. The past two years have been among the happiest in my life. No one will ever know what my association with Archbishop Hallinan and the priests, sisters and laity of the archdiocese has meant to me. When I came to Atlanta in 1966 as auxiliary bishop, everyone promised me his support and cooperation. Surely that promise was kept to an extent that I never dreamed possible. In a special way I will miss the people of the Cathedral parish because of my close association with them as pastor. At this point I simply want to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone and ask for prayers as I leave for my new assignment.”

“While I will have to assume some of the duties of general secretary immediately, I will continue to serve as administrator of the archdiocese, with residence at the Cathedral, until a new Archbishop is appointed and takes up the leadership of the Church in Northern Georgia.”

Bishop Bernardin, a native of Columbia, S.C., was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Atlanta April 26, 1968. Prior to that he had served as chancellor of the Diocese of Charleston and was chancellor when Archbishop Hallinan was ordinary of the South Carolina diocese.

The 40-year-old bishop has a master’s degree in education from the Catholic University of America.

While in Atlanta, he has been active in ecumenical affairs and is a vice president of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta.