Three Marietta churches -- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Church of the Atonement, United Presbyterian USA and Powers Ferry Methodist Church -- have signed a statement opposing segregation and discrimination in any form.

“More than a dozen churches and their official boards are considering the statement,” said the Rev. John N. Gregg, pastor of the Church of the Atonement.

Asked why the statement was drawn up, the Rev. Mr. Gregg said, “We were concerned and realized that nothing much was being said about the report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. There is an awful vacuum.”

“The politicians aren’t saying much and we did not see much leadership. The churches can’t give all of the leadership, but we thought the statement might serve as a catalyst.” The minister said the statement was to be discussed at this week’s meeting of the ministerial association.

“This has been our policy all along,” said Father John Mercer, S.M., pastor of St. Joseph’s, “but I thought we needed to let the public know again where we stand.” His two assistants, Fathers John Martell, S.M., and James McGoldrick, S.M., signed the statement.

Signing for the Powers Ferry Methodist Church were the Rev. Norton Campbell, Jr., pastor, and the official board.

The statement asked all citizens of Cobb County to re-examine their attitudes about racial matters. It asked, “How do you pay or treat those who work for you? How do you respond to exciting rumors... to snide racial jokes? Is there fair and desirable employment where you shop and work? What is your attitude toward assuring full access to good housing for all of our citizens?”

“We oppose segregation and discrimination in any form and we urge all parts of our community to increase their efforts to eliminate these barriers to a healthy society in which healthy people can live.”

“We urge the governmental leadership, the commercial firms, the employers, the professional groups, the welfare agencies and our brother churches to do all in their power to eliminate the root causes of poverty, discrimination and degradation,” the statement said.

The pastors said, “We believe that in carrying out the ministry of reconciliation, we are also contributing to proper goals for our nation. In Christian perspective, let us all seriously consider the commission’s statement of goals for America -- The primary goal must be a single society, in which every citizen will be free to live and work according to his capabilities and desires, not his color.”