A Holy Spirit parishioner appointed by Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell has become the first Catholic on the city's aldermanic board.

Charles Driebe will fill the Ninth Ward position formerly held by William T. Knight who resigned recently due to illness.

Under the City Charter, the Board of Aldermen nominates three candidates for a vacant position, from which the Mayor selects one. Driebe had received the overwhelming support of the board during the nominations. Formal swearing-in ceremonies were held July 15 at 11 a.m. at City Hall.

The Mayor said, "I believe Charles Driebe to be a bright young man who will make a notable contribution to our government. We sought him out because of his solid foundation of service and dedication.

Before entering private law practice, Driebe, 37, was law assistant to Judge Homer C. Eberhardt of the Georgia Court of Appeals. He had also served as general counsel to the State Senate Committee of Efficiency, Economy and Reorganization in Georgia.

A member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar Association, Driebe was formerly president of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar. He received his LL.B. degree from the University of Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Driebe is also former president of the Young Democrats of Georgia and the YD of Fulton County, and was a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee for six years.

He lives with his wife, the former Norma Jac Mobley, and four children.