Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan this week closed enrollment in the archdiocese’s schools for the current school year “in support for the public schools of Atlanta and Georgia.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the archbishop said, “The only exception to this policy will be the children of parents who have just changed their place of residence.”

He said the decision was made with the awareness that many persons “have taken or are thinking of taking their children from the public schools, to enter established or newer private schools -- some of which serve only as a haven from change, rather than providing a sound program of education.” The spiritual leader of some 52,000 Catholics in 71 North Georgia counties said the Church here shall not try to solve its schools’ financial problems “by taking advantage of the present time of turmoil in the public schools.” “The public schools of Georgia, and particularly the schools of the city of Atlanta face a period of change and of some tension, as they seek to implement recent court orders regarding the complete integration of schools and faculties. Commendation is due school administrators and teachers, and all public officials who have accepted the great challenge of fulfilling the court’s orders honestly and straightforwardly. Also to be commended are all citizens of the state who are accepting the changes within our public schools with a spirit of charity and understanding.

“Realizing that there are serious problems and understandable fears, nevertheless, I will urge all men of good will to continue to support their school administrators, and do all they can do to insure that the changes take place without rancor or hate, but rather in an atmosphere of harmony.”

“The Archdiocese of Atlanta has a school system enrolling almost 7,000 students, Catholic and non-Catholic, black and white. Our schools have not passed through great social changes of our times without fears and hesitations, without trials and scars of their own. We are aware that many within our city and state are losing confidence in the ability of our public school administrators to make the changes without losing control of their schools. Many have taken or are thinking of taking their children from the public schools, to enter established or new private schools - some of which only serve as a haven from change, rather than providing a sound program of education. We urge these people to have confidence in their public school administrators and to cooperate with them in every way.” “In support for the public schools of Atlanta and Georgia, after consulting our own Archdiocesan Board of Education, I am closing enrollment at all schools within the Archdiocese of Atlanta for the present time. No new student will be

enrolled in our schools for the remainder of the 1969-70 academic year. The only exception to this policy will be the children of parents who have just changed their place of residence.”

“The Catholic schools of the archdiocese are supported by all Catholics, and by the parents of those children of other religions who attend them. It has been, therefore, and remains the policy of the archdiocese to maintain a policy of open admissions. Thus, all schools are open... first to all Catholics within a parish, than to other Catholics, and then to all other children regardless of race or creed.

“We affirm again our right to operate schools whose educational program is Christian in its outlook and its source. The exercise of this right has become extremely expensive for our parents. Nevertheless, we reassure the citizens of Georgia that we shall not try to solve our problems by taking advantage of the present turmoil in the public schools.

“When registration for the next academic year begins, the same open admission policy will be followed. Our schools will always be open to those who sincerely seek the religiously oriented education that the schools can provide. Our racial policy will also be the same: to use our schools and our entire educational program to foster racial integration, and understanding and harmony between men of all races and creeds.”