My Dear Friends:

As you know, I am presently in Rome for a month of study planned for seventy American bishops. It is a Theological Consultation intended to help us update ourselves on modern research, study and thinking in the fields of Scripture, philosophy and theology. Among the faculty are outstanding scholars in these fields. They are natives of the United States, Holland, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Canada.

My trip over was most pleasant. I left Kennedy Airport on Friday, August 30 by T.W.A. and was pleased to be in the company of an old friend, Cardinal Cooke of New York. We were met at the Flumicino Airport in Rome by Father Roger Roensch of the North American College and, also, by Father Patrick McCormick of Atlanta (now on the staff of the North American College).

We proceeded directly to the Casa Santa Maria, the 300 year old house in which the Graduate School of the North American is located. Most of the bishops were already present…some having arrived by earlier flights. Others from cities in Europe. I was pleased to meet Father Frank McCool, S. J. of the Biblical Institute who is spiritual director and lecturer for our consultation. Father McCool had attended Regis High School in New York City, being in the class behind me.

The Casa Santa Maria wears its 300 years well…and while it is not a first class Roman hotel, we are all quite comfortable and well cared for – aside from a rather demanding schedule.

We began classes promptly Sunday morning, September 1, with a two-hour lecture at 9 o’clock from Monsignor Richard Mahowald, director of the Casa, and organizer of the program. Our usual daily schedule is:

8 a.m. – Breakfast

9 a.m. – Lecture (two hours followed by a question period)

11:30 a.m. – Concelebrated Mass

4 p.m. -- Lecture (two hours)

7:30 p.m. – Dinner

About three days a week we have a briefing for forty-five minutes at 2 p.m. from a specialist in some field; and about two days a week, a briefing at 8:30 p.m.

So far these briefings have been by Father Henriot (who had just returned from the World Population Congress), by the English-speaking staff of the Congregation for Religious with the Cardinal Prefect, Arturo Cardinal Tabera; also Monsignor Gremillion and Father Hehir of the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace.

The only free Sunday in the program came on September 8 and I went with my seminary classmate, Archbisho Rayan of Anchorage, and Archbishop Power of Portland (Oregon) to visit Capri, Sorrento and Naples. We had a pleasant visit with an overnight stay in Naples.

It is customary for members of Roman Congregations and Commissions to take this opportunity to visit with the United States bishops here. Hence for different meals, we have been honored by the presence of Cardinal Raimondi (formerly Apostolic Delegate to the United States); Cardinal Tabera of the Congregation of Religious; Father Arrupe, General of the Jesuits; and the Rectors of the Colleges at which American priests and seminaries study.

The program was set up this year because this is the year in which the American bishops are expected to pay their ad limina visit to Rome. The visit involves a call on the Holy Father, prayers at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul; and the presentation of a written report on the state of the diocese (covering the last five years). We are making the visits to the tombs of the Apostles as a group, having a concelebrated Mass at each church. We are hoping that the Holy Father will visit us here at the Casa and offer Mass for us. The presentation of the Quinquennial Report is made at the Office of the Congregation for Bishops. I performed this task last week in the company of Bishop McDonald of Little Rock, who was a priest of the Savannah diocese, and Bishops Broderick of Albany and Guilfoyle of Camden (New Jersey).

The Theological Consultation is a rich experience. It is worthwhile to listen to, an talk with the outstanding scholars who are the lecturers. It is also rewarding and inspiring to spend so many days in such close contact and discussion with so many of the American bishops. Daily I remember in the Mass the priests, religious and laypersons of the Archdiocese of Atlanta…that together we might realize the theme of this gathering of bishops: Toward The New Man In Jesus Christ. The New man in Jesus Christ is the person and the community who recognize that Jesus Christ is the only ultimate norm of our thinking, acting, and behavior.

At the close of the first half of our program, I have taken this opportunity to communicate to you the background for my being here, and some of the happenings. May I also ask your prayers for God’s blessing on all the bishops who are participating.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Thomas A. Donnellan

Most Reverend Thomas A. Donnellan

Archbishop of Atlanta