Father Eusebius J. Beltran, pastor of Holy Cross Church in Chamblee, was named archdiocesan vicar general by Archbishop Donnellan Sept. 1.

Prior to deciding on the appointment, Archbishop Donnellan requested recommendations from all the priests of the archdiocese.

At 37, Father Beltran is unusually young for the position of vicar general. He is succeeding Monsignor Michael Manning of LaGrange, who is 59.

Indicating surprise at his selection, Father Beltran said, "I hope I can justify the faith placed in me by the archbishop."

He said that the scope of his duties as vicar general would depend on the discretion of the archbishop. In the past, some vicars general in the archdiocese have administered the sacrament of confirmation.

According to Church law, the vicar general is the highest administrative officer of the diocese, after the bishop. In the case of Father Beltran, he is also the highest judicial officer of the archdiocese, after the archbishop, insofar as he continues to serve as officialis of the metropolitan tribunal.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., Father Beltran was ordained in 1960. His mother is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Decatur. His older brother, Joseph, is pastor of the new Corpus Christ Church at Stone Mountain.