Three new guidelines for the Atlanta Priest Personnel Board have been set by Archbishop Thomas Donnellan.

The major change, the Personnel Board has been empowered by the archbishop “to approach any priest who has a tenure of 10 years in a parish to discuss with him a new assignment.” At present, only two pastors in the archdiocese have served in their parishes for over 10 years, Msgr. Michael Regan of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Fr. John O’Shea at St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville.

The other two guidelines promulgated were these: “If a man is due a change of assignment but is close to retirement –that man should not be burdened with a major assignment.” And: “A priest should give at least four years of service to the archdiocese before being released for work outside the archdiocese.”

The Personnel Board, an elected group of six priests, had originally proposed these guidelines to the archbishop in the form of recommendations. At the time the archbishop said he was favorably disposed to the proposals, but that he wished to allow a certain period of time for free discussion of them among all the priests.

In making the announcement, the archbishop said: “I believe there has been ample opportunity for discussion of this proposal and I hereby promulgate these recommendations of the Personnel Board as the policy of this archdiocese.”

--JJM