Sixty per cent of the 412 persons voting in the archdiocesan balloting on proposed changes in Holy Day obligations said there should be some changes.

Approximately half of those voting for changes felt that obligatory attendance of Mass should be removed for at least four of the five Holy Days.

Ballots for the voting were printed in The Bulletin after three instructional articles written by priests appeared in the paper to give readers some background on the matter.

The balloting around the country are advisors to this nations’ bishops.

Following is a letter to the Archbishop on the matter:

Dear Archbishop Donnellan:

Re: Recap of “Ballot on Holy Days”

Following the appearance of three instructive articles in the Georgia Bulletin, as well as a ballot to be used to express individuals’ suggestions regarding the observance of Holy Days, a total of 412 responses were delivered to the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission for evaluation. I wish to apprise you as briefly as possible on the results of the ballots.

Referring to the initial question “Do you feel that there should be a change in the present legislation concerning Holy Days of Obligation observed in the United States (including Christmas) of the 412 persons responding, 164 or 40 per cent said “no”, while 248 or 60 per cent said “yes”, there should be some changes.

Next, the person was provided the opportunity to suggest the specific type of change-essentially to transfer the Feast to some other days, or to remove the obligation to attend Mass. These options were available for each of the five Holy Days under consideration.

The most clear cut suggest among the 248 proposing some change was for the removal of obligation for all five Holy Days, or for at least four of the five Holy Days; 115 persons, or approximately half of those suggesting the change, made this suggestion. Sixty-seven more suggested that all five of the Feast Days be transferred in most instances to the nearest Sunday. Of the remaining 66 ballots suggesting some change, the most obvious consensus was: to remove the obligation for All Saints Day; to keep the obligation for New Year’s Day; and to make no change for the feasts of Assumption and Immaculate Conception. Several suggested making the Feast of Epiphany a Holy Day in lieu of Jan.1.

The ballot returns were representative of all parts of the archdiocese. While the response was approximately 5 to 1 from the Atlanta area, Athens and Marietta were well represented, along with Rome, Dalton, Toccoa, Elberton, Warm Springs, Fayetteville, Rockmart, Carrollton, Riverdale, Austell, Madison and Hoschton, among several others. Some persons took the time to write other comments for consideration, such as “It’s time we depended on our faith rather that the threat of mortal sin”, or, “no more changes, please.” Interesting was the comment: “Please let’s not start shaking hands before we receive Holy Communion.”

The Commission wishes to thank the Georgia Bulletin for its help in undertaking this survey.

Sincerely,

Lour Erbs

Chairman