Pope Paul VI announced the appointment on February 28, 1978, of the Reverend Monsignor Eusebius Joseph Beltran, pastor of Saint Anthony's Church in Atlanta, as the second Bishop of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The announcement was made in Washington by Archbishop Jean Jadot, Apostolic Delegate in the United States. The bishop-elect is 43 years old.

Bishop-elect Beltran was born in Ashley, PA, on August 31, 1934, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Beltran. He attended grammar school and high school in Wilkes-Barre, PA, graduating from Marymount High School in June, 1952. His family moved to Gainesville, Georgia, in 1953.

In September, 1952, he entered Saint Charles Seminary in Philadelphia where he studied for eight years. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Charles in June 1956.

On May 14, 1960, Bishop-elect Beltran was ordained by the late Bishop Francis E. Hyland at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. From June to September, 1960, he served as assistant pastor of the Cathedral Parish.

His next assignment was as assistant pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, where he served until October 1961. His other parish assignments have included Pastorates of St. Mary's in Rome and Holy Cross in Chamblee. Since June 1972, he has served as Pastor of Saint Anthony's.

The bishop-elect has held several positions with the Metropolitan tribunal of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, including Officialis from June 1965 to March 1972. He has been a Pro-Synodal Judge of the Tribunal since March 1972. He also served as Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese in 1964.

In September, 1971, while serving as pastor of Holy Cross Parish, he was appointed by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan as Vicar General of the Atlanta archdiocese. At the age of 37, the bishop-elect was unusually young for the position, which, according to Church law, is the highest administrative office of the diocese after the bishop.

Expressing surprise at his selection as Vicar General, the bishop-elect stated at that time, "I hope I can justify the faith placed in me by the archbishop."

On November 6, 1974, the bishop-elect was invested as Prelate of Honor with the title of Reverend Monsignor by Archbishop Donnellan at ceremonies at Saint Anthony's.

Upon learning of his appointment by Pope Paul, bishop-elect Beltran stated:

"I was speechless, surprised and shocked at the profound announcement that I have been chosen as Bishop of Tulsa, Oklahoma. After recovering my composure, my reaction was thoughtful gratitude for this special grace in my life.

"From the moment of ordination almost eighteen years ago until this news, I have endeavored to fulfill the Lord's will as His priest. I have great faith and trust in the Lord and have never once doubted the call to the priesthood. Now comes this further call through the Church. With the same faith and trust, I accept this new call and the challenge which it offers.

"In my years as a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, my brother priests and countless other people of the Church of Atlanta have supported me with prayer, encouragement, advice and co-operation. I turn to them all again and beg their continuing prayers and supportive gratitude. With their help and the Grace of Almighty God, I will confidently serve the people of God as a bishop of the Church.

"I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Paul VI; to Archbishop Jean Jadot, the Apostolic Delegate in the United States, and to Archbishop Donnellan for the confidence expressed in me.

"My response to their expression of confidence is that I shall humbly and faithfully serve to the best of my ability. And to the Lord who directs the Church, I heartily respond in the words of the Sacred Scripture, 'Here am I lord, I come to do Your will.'"

The Reverend W. M. Eichoff, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, telephoned the statement of the Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, to The Georgia Bulletin Tuesday morning.

Archbishop Salatka said:

"I rejoice together with the people of the Diocese of Tulsa at the appointment of the Reverend Monsignor Eusebius J. Beltran as the second Bishop of Tulsa.

"As Archbishop of Oklahoma City, I welcome Bishop-elect Beltran to Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Province. The bishop-elect can take encouragement from the fact that he will come to serve Oklahomans, a people who are both hospitable and vigorous.

"I look forward eagerly to the arrival and installation of bishop-elect Beltran. I anticipate working in co-ordination with the bishop-elect for the building up of the Church in all of Oklahoma, as well as laboring together with him in common with all persons of good will in those causes of human betterment through which the reign of God will become reality in our midst."

Bishop-elect Beltran's installation will take place at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Tulsa in mid-April. Archbishop Jadot will ordain him.

Bishop-elect Beltran's mother, Mrs. Helen Beltran, resides in Decatur and is an active parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul. She was honored by Pope Paul VI in 1965 with the Cross Pro Ecclesia: Pontifice. His father, the late Joseph C. Beltran, died October 28, 1961.

The Bishop-elect is the brother of Father Joseph J. Beltran, pastor of All-Saints Parish in Dunwoody; Sister M. Sponsa of Reading, PA, a Bernardine Sister of Saint Francis and for several years a missionary to West Africa; Miss Helen Marie Beltran of Eatonton, GA; Mrs. Henry J. Cebulski of Conyers; Mrs. Gerald Carrier of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Carey Florence and Frank J. Beltran of Atlanta.