By Sue Hughes

It is common knowledge that for the last few years the American divorce rate has been on the rise. By the mid-60s, it had become clear that Catholics were providing their full share of broken American marriages for the first time in history. To those who are involved, it brings suffering, along with many serious financial, psychological and social problems. It does not lessen their trauma to experience indifference and hostility from the church -- their fellow Christians, because of their status. But great things are happening and a new ministry has been born.

Father James Young, CSP, Chaplain of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics (NACSDC) explained in a recent article in Notre Dame Magazine entitled "The Church and the Divorce Catholic -- Picking up the Pieces … Together". "With a grass-roots inventiveness that has always marked American Catholicism, the Church began to respond. In the past five years, the development of divorce ministry has effected some enormous attitudinal shifts among Catholic people. Divorced people feel less alienated from their parishes, stigmatization seems to be lessening, and single parents find more supports in building a new life. The removal last fall by Pope Paul VI of the American law attaching an excommunication to second marriage symbolized dramatically that the Church no longer wanted to respond to divorced Catholics with penalties, but rather with pastoral care. A major thrust of divorce ministry today is the reconciliation to the Catholic community of thousands of Catholics who have been alienated from the Church because they mistakenly believed that divorce itself separated them from the Church."

The Atlanta archdiocese is no exception to this loving response by hard working leadership and caring clergy. Gatherings of divorced persons are meeting in 11 parishes, listed among some 400 support groups throughout the US and Canada. These gatherings are surrounding separated and formerly married persons with caring men and women who can offer practical assistance in negotiating the divorce transition. The divorced themselves compose a ministry which seeks to provide time and opportunity for personal growth.

The archdiocesan Office of Adult Religious Education, Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Jude's sponsored Phyllis Curry's attendance at the NACSDC held at Notre Dame University. Her efforts have been instrumental in strengthening local resources. In April, Sister Lorraine, Adult Education Consultant for the archdiocese plans to attend a "New Beginnings Weekend" in Dallas, TX, in order to assess how such an experience could service the immediate needs of newly-divorced in Atlanta. Our own support groups have distributed the first issue of their newsletter to all pastors and known members. It is to be published quarterly by the groups themselves on a rotating basis. The purpose is to keep people informed of the many activities open to all throughout the metropolitan area and to provide personal expression of community in the form of articles, letters, book reviews, etc. Currently the most exciting expressions of compassion and reconciliation to Catholic men and women involved in broken marriages is the special Christmas Mass to be celebrated by Archbishop Donnellan on Tuesday, December 19, at 8 p.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 4449 Northside Dr NW. A reception will follow. All are invited to bring their families. The liturgy will revolve around the theme "The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us -- We are Glad Indeed." (Psalm 126-3)

For further information about your local support group, the newsletter or the special "Christmas Mass," call your parish office or the Religious Education Office at Immaculate Heart of Mary 404-321-3175.