By Thea Jarvis

This summer, 19-and 20-year-old male Americans were required to register for the draft.

Considering the lingering echoes of the anti-Vietnam War era, it was a registration that passed with only minor upheaval. Below the surface calm, however, is a real concern that registration is only the first step in the long, tired march toward a full-fledged peacetime draft.

The Catholic position on the July registration was capsulized in a statement by the Bishops of Minnesota urging cooperation in registration, but pledging “adequate education, guidance and help” for young men who may have to decide whether to comply with an eventual order to enter the military.

Locally, Church concern is evidenced by increased draft counseling activity on the part of campus ministers.

Father Joe Holohan, O.F.M. is part of the campus ministry team at the University of Georgia in Athens. He sees the draft question as “a serious decision for young people to make” and reflects that such a decision should not be made alone.

“This is a religious process for a young person. The Church needs to be there offering support and counsel.”

Draft counseling is not new to Father Joe, who was active in the Draft Information Service during the late 60s and early 70s.

“The last time around I was too old to carry a draft card. Since I couldn’t make that decision personally, it would have been hypocritical of me to stand on one side or the other of the draft issue.”

“What I could do was work with young men and help them understand how the law affected them.”

At present, Father Joe perceives a need for a refocusing on counseling because of the precariousness of the political situation.

“We have to proceed on the assumption that a full draft after the election is a real possibility. In Athens, young naval officers question the adequacy of our military establishment. Our whole society is putting renewed emphasis on military preparedness.”

The University of Georgia is gradually coming back to life after a slow, steamy summer. In the coming year, those interested in draft counseling can find help from campus ministers and older students alike who will have been trained in this field.

Upcoming workshops designed for the training of draft counselors will be held in Atlanta this month. Sponsored by Clergy and Laity Concerned, the workshops will give form and substance to the options available to possible draftees.

Susan Sendelbach, who with Father Joe Cavallo forms the Catholic campus team that ministers to Agnes Scott, Georgia State and Emory University, will be among the workshop panelists meeting in September.

Susan urges young adults to form their consciences on the draft issue.

“The recent registration gave no pre-classification to the handicapped, the student, the conscientious objector, or any other registrants. If and when the draft is implemented, conscientious objectors will have only 10 days to get their documentation in order for approval of their status. They need to begin this process now.”

Documentation for conscientious objector status is basically a file of written proof stating that for some time the individual has opposed war on religious and moral grounds.

Susan Sendelbach stresses the need for young women as well as young men to address this issue.

“The American Civil Liberties Union has challenged the validity of the summer registration on the basis that it discriminated against women.”

“If the Supreme Court agrees and nullifies the registration, the government can easily call for another registration for men and women. Although the ACLU feels this may mean a further victory for the anti-war camp because of the objection to women draftees, women still need to be ready.”

Along with Father Holohan, Susan senses that the mood of the country is hawkish.

“It frightens me to think about it, but it seems as though we’re churning up for conflict. I am hoping that through education, counseling and prayer, the Church can offer other alternatives.”

“I have to believe we are bright enough to settle issues without blowing each other’s heads off. The Church can witness to this.”

(The Atlanta Coalition Against Registration and the Draft, part of a national draft counseling network, operates a local hotline to serve those with questions or registration and the draft. Phone: 523-3264.