By Father James Maciejewski

Father Richard Kieran, principal of St. Pius X High School, was elected president of the Atlanta Senate of Priests in balloting last Friday.

Father Kieran, 32, was unopposed in the election. Father Liam Tuffy, assistant pastor of St. Thomas More Church in Decatur, was likewise unopposed in the voting for vice-president.

In the only contested election, Father Joseph Sanches was the choice over Father Michael Woods for the post of secretary-treasurer. Term of office for all three of the new officers will be one year.

Father Kieran, who succeeds Father Daniel O’Connor in the presidency, is a native of Ireland, where he studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Arts in Education.

He has been involved in the local cursillo movement since his ordination in 1965. His older brother John is pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Dalton.

Upon his election to the presidency he issued the following statement:

“My immediate reaction to my election as president of the Priests’ Senate is a concern to discern clearly the direction in which God would have me lead. My first commitment is to more prayer and study of the Word of God, to know His will and to have the courage to be faithful to it.

“It is my conviction that our mutual concern to be as effective as possible as spiritual leaders in North Georgia should bring us together as the Priests’ Senate. It is my hope that we will become more a brotherhood of priests in search of better ways to build up the Body of Christ. The Senate should be service oriented. Priests should come together as a Senate for encouragement, support and new ideas in ministry.

“I suggested restructuring of the Senate when I announced my availability for office. I will present a plan for reorganization at the first meeting of the Senate in January. With our small number of priests it should be possible for everyone to be a voting member.

“The senators will meet soon to establish goals for 1973. I hope our major concern will be more effective, priestly ministry in the archdiocese. Working with our archbishop, we must evaluate our present effectiveness; we must establish our priorities; we must determine the most effective use of our manpower and we must study alternative forms of priestly ministry.

“I would appreciate hearing from my brother priests, our sisters and our lay people suggestions for goals for the Priests’ Senate for 1973. In particular, if you are concerned about the effectiveness of our ministry, let me hear from you. I ask also that you give me and the Senate maximum prayer support. Let me know if you will be praying for us in 1973.

“On behalf of my brother priests, I would like to thank the senators who have just completed their term of office. I want to thank especially Father Daniel O’Connor for his leadership for the last two years.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as president. I take courage from the words of St. Paul: ‘There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength.’” (Phil. 4:13)