By Msgr. Noel Burtenshaw

In those days, the back door of the Shrine was never locked. Occasionally a man of the street, sack on back, would stumble through. A bowl of soup would quickly send him on his way. But the door to the rectory of the Immaculate Conception parish, was not left unlocked to feed the hungry poor. Men in blue, were the main intruders.

The Day Watch would find a cool glass of tea at mid-day and the Night Watch would curl cold hands around hot coffee late into the night. For patrolling Atlanta policemen, the Shrine was an extra precinct.

That was over 25 years ago and the welcoming cleric was usually Assistant Pastor, Father Donald Kiernan. It was an act of hospitality to foot weary policeman, but it was also the beginning of a romance with law enforcement in the city.

Getting to know the men and women of the law meant getting to know their job problems. The young Father Kiernan became a partner up front in the searching patrol cars of the evening. Whether it was chasing the thoughtless speedsters, or keenly watching the sinister activities of the suspicious, Father Kiernan was there.

He was also there, when consolation was needed. A uniformed man hurt would send the newly recognized chaplain to a hospital bed. More serious happenings would send him with words of compassionate condolence to a family suffering the heartbreak of loss.

Throughout the years of many different assignments as pastor, in Gainesville, then back to St. Anthony’s in Atlanta and St. Jude’s in Sandy Springs, the work with Atlanta’s police continued.

Father Kiernan became fast friends with now retired Chief Herbert Jenkins. The spiritual consolation along with the easy friendly manner of the priest became important to an ever growing department in an ever growing city.

The work, most gratefully received by the city, and most generously given by the priest, led to other areas of service to the long arm of the law. The newly appointed Monsignor Kiernan became chaplain to Georgia’s State Patrol. He also founded and became the President of the Georgia Police Chiefs Association. Even the International Organization of Police Chiefs called upon his knowledge and expertise. Finally three years ago, the Governor of Georgia invited the knowledgeable cleric to be a member of the prestigious State Crime Commission.

Monsignor Kiernan, a native of Taunton, Mass., now pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Atlanta, after 25 years of Atlanta police work decided his work downtown was complete. After establishing a Chaplaincy, giving the city a squad of spiritual helpers, he resigned.

It was a bitterly sad day down at headquarters and the city said so loud and clear.

At a farewell luncheon, Public Safety Commissioner Lee Brown and Chief of Police George Napper reluctantly said adieu to the Monsignor. Mayor Maynard Jackson proclaimed Wednesday, April 11, “Monsignor Donald Kiernan Day” in the city and even Governor Busbee, busily completing the work of the state budget, dropped by.

For all, it was farewell and many thanks, but don’t go too far away. The work of policing the city will not be the same, without the smiling and generous time consuming presence of the Monsignor.

As he left the headquarters, with the bouquets firmly in hand, and the praise ringing in his ears, many wondered if this was really the end of a silver era. Monsignor Kiernan insisted that the time for others to take over had really arrived. However his efforts for the Georgia Chiefs and State Patrol will continue.

But no one saw him hand in the smartly creased and brightly buttoned uniform so proudly worn through days and nights of city service.

Who knows...?