The Atlanta Senate of Priests has endorsed in principle a request by the executive board of the National Federation of Priests’ Council (NFPC) for the establishment of judicial panels to safeguard the American right of due process in the Church.

The Senate approved a motion by Father John McDonough, president, which said, “The Senate of Priests concurs in the letter of request sent to Cardinal O’Boyle as a first step in resolving this difficult problem.”

Last week (Georgia Bulletin, Sept. 12) the NFPC statement was issued in response to a request from the Association of Washington priests that the NFPC intervene in the case of Father T. Joseph O’Donoghue, a parish priest in the Washington archdiocese who was relieved of his duties by Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle after he read from the pulpit a statement of theological dissent from the encyclical, Humanae Vitae.

The NFPC statement did not pass judgment on the merits of Father O’Donoghue’s position or other aspects of the birth control debate in the Church. It acknowledged that the cardinal probably fulfilled the requirements of the present Code of Canon Law in handling the case.

Father Michael A. Morris, Senate secretary and secretary of the NFPC, emphasized the statement called for due process and did not involve Father O’Donoghue’s position.

Father Paul Kelley made the original motion in support of due process and Father Thomas J. Roshetko, S.M., offered an amendment. Father McDonough then offered the resolution which was approved. He said the phrase “as a first step in resolving this difficult problem” would not give the NFPC blanket support for every action it might take in the case.

The Senate also discussed the possible establishment of a personnel board.

Father Conald Foust suggested that lay people be on the personnel board. He said, “If a majority in a parish were opposed to the pastor, then perhaps the pastor should be removed. This is not a case of the laymen ruling, but of being consulted.” Father Kelley suggested a personnel board of from three to five persons including a representative from the chancery and one from the Senate. “I’m not saying an inadequate job has been done, but there may be broader considerations,” he said.

Father Michael McKeever pointed out that Father John F. O’Shea, dean of the South Deanery, visits the parishes and talks to the priests about parish affairs.

Father McDonough appointed a committee to draw up suggestions to present to Archbishop Donnellan. Named to the committee were Fathers John Cotter, chairman, Kelley, Roshertko and Simon Slattery.

Father John D. Stapleton, who has headed a committee studying retirement, said one proposed policy, paying priests a $100 a month at age 70, would cost $175 a year. To provide pension of $400 a month at age 70, it would cost $700 a year. If a priest retired before age 70 the payment would be reduced 6 per cent for each year, and if he died before retirement the amount contributed would go to someone named in his will. No action was taken on the retirement proposal.