One of the special attractions of the Charismatic Renewal Conference held last weekend in Augusta, was the clergy conference which drew 16 priests and one candidate for the permanent deaconate from the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Those from the archdiocese were the R. Reverend Dom Augustine Moore, Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, and Fathers Anthony DiLisi, Joseph Tynan, Tom Tarsus, Tom Smith, Clarence Biggers, Paul Berny, John Kelley, Mauro Mourlot, John Higgins, Tim Randall, Michael Woods, Tom Kenny, Gregory Paul, Joseph O'Hara, Joseph Paulantonino and Mr. Tom Zaworski.

The Atlantans joined the 80 priests, seminarians and male religious from the Southeast at the conference, which was also attended by a number of Protestant clergy, including Dean Collins of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta.

The principal speaker at the clergy conference was Biblical scholar Father George T. Montague, SM, who outlined what is happening in the Church today between priests and Charismatic Renewal. His general text was taken from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy, urging not a spirit of timidity, but one of power, love and self-control.

Father Montague counseled those in the assembly with the words, "Shepherd, shepherd yourself" and urged all present to forget for the rest of the day their parish responsibilities and "just enjoy the Lord and His great love for you as His ministers."

Father Montague shared his views and personal experience on what the Charismatic Renewal has done for him as a Christian, as a priest and as a minister of the Lord. Following his presentation, his audience shared with one another their own experiences, thoughts and reactions. A concelebrated Mass concluded the program.