By Harry Murphy

Atlanta - A reorganized Archdiocesan Pastoral Council has recommended establishment of a parish council in each parish, assistance of laymen in distributing Communion, gathering of information on parish segregation, and interdenominational religious education.

The council, expanded from 9 to 52 members, held its first meeting April 11 at St. Joseph’s High School and the revitalization became apparent after Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan said Mass and the work began.

During his homily, the archbishop endorsed the idea of a council in each parish to prepare the programs and policies for the pastors’ considerations.

“Of the archdiocesan council,” he said he was “inviting an expression of views” and considered the council “a part of the Archdiocesan administration.”

Tom Kratzer, outgoing president and one of the archbishop’s 10 appointees to the new council, said the group must have “broad representation and independence of mind in order to be truly consultative to the archbishop.” “It shouldn’t be a rubber-stamp outfit sitting around waiting for consultative matters from the archbishop, but it should always bear in mind that the archbishop has the final authority,” he added.

Kratzer said the former smaller body, established by the 1966 Archdiocesan Synod, never became fully operational before the late Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan became ill in the fall of 1967 but he had high hopes for the new board.

The delegates noted that the 1966 Synod went on record against perpetuating all-Negro parishes and asked the Chancery to study the problem.

There are two predominantly Negro parishes in Atlanta, St. Paul of the Cross on the west side and Our Lady of Lourdes on the east side.

Approved was a motion to ask the Chancery what studies have been made of the problem.

Approval of the interdenominational religious education proposal came after Don Kelley, chairman of the Unity Commission, endorsed the measure.

“We want to cooperate with other faiths on those things which are not uniquely denominational,” he said, “On some things, like Bible studies, this would be of great help in areas outside of Atlanta (where there are fewer clergy and religious).”

Several other resolutions, such as ones asking for women and youth representatives, were referred to the seven-member executive committee or to other bodies study, with reports expected back for the next council meeting. The executive committee set its first meeting for May 16.

Representatives of archdiocesan boards and commissions made reports on their activities, problems and plans.

Dr. Norman Berry, education board chairman, outlined a University of Notre Dame study which should provide much “what if?” data, such as what would the cost be if all eligible eighth grades were closed.

Kelley, the Unity Commission representative, said his group has suffered from a large membership turnover, a lack of rural participation and little coordination with other archdiocesan agencies.

Sister Mary Timothy, president of the Sisters’ Senate, complained about the limited communication between her group and the Priests’ Senate.

Clint Rodgers, chairman of the social services board, said his group hopes to legally incorporate so that state, federal and foundation monies can be gained to supplement the archdiocesan appropriation.

He also moved that the department’s subsidiary, the Office of Urban Affairs, be designated as “the archdiocesan mechanism of social and institutional change,” but it was referred to the executive committee.

Father William Hoffman, a Priest’ Senate representative, said his group had suffered from apathy, because “many priests distrust the democratic process in the Church” and from “an identity crisis” due to difficulty in defining its consultative role.

He said the Priests’ Senate hopes to have closer ties with their nun counterparts, to strengthen its social action committee, and to have some recommendations for the archbishop on stipends and salaries, the life styles of priests, celibacy and authority.

Father Henry Gracz, the Liturgical Commission’s representatives, said his group needs a full-time person for liturgical development work.

Father Jerry Hardy, assistant chancellor, reported on “The State of the Chancery,” and said he viewed it as a “control center, not one to stifle, but to coordinate.”

In this line, he added, a newsletter of Chancery activities may be started soon.

In another vein, Father Hardy, also director of vocations, said half of the archdiocese’s priests are 35 years of age or younger. Fifteen more seminarians should be graduating into the archdiocese in the next five years.

He urged the council to work “hand in glove” with the Chancery in increasing vocations.

The assistant chancellor said he hoped there would be a “sharing both ways” between the Chancery and the council and he viewed the latter as a “potentially extremely valuable contributor” to the archdiocese.

Archbishop Donnellan said he felt it is “a good thing for the group to find its own way” and expressed gratitude to all who had brought the reorganization about, particularly the ad hoc committee of former council members who planned the meeting.

Elected as new officers were Gene Stelten of Holy Spirit Parish, president; Leon Allain of St. Paul of the Cross, vice president; Mike Doyle of the Cathedral, executive secretary; and Mike Karp of St. John Vianney in Austell, treasurer. Herb Farnsworth, the Cathedral, Mrs. Ruth Lammers, Saints Peter and Paul, and Joe Brogan, St. Jude’s, were picked to serve on the executive committee with the officers.