One of the primary concerns a bishop has for his new diocese is the establishment of the Marriage Tribunal Office. This important department in every diocese has two main purposes: first, the pastoral care of every aspect of the Sacrament of Marriage and, second, the protection of the marriage bond in accordance with Church law.

On Nov. 19, 1956, the Marriage Tribunal of the new Diocese of Atlanta was established. Msgr. Michael J. Regan was appointed as first head of the department with the traditional title given to this position--Officialis.

In the early 60s, Father Eusebius J. Beltran--who had been ordained in 1960--was assigned as assistant to Msgr. Regan.

The Marriage Tribunal was given greater responsibility in 1962 as the Archdiocese of Atlanta came into being. Marriage cases were presented from some of the surrounding dioceses and the caseload in Atlanta began to grow.

In June 1965, Msgr. Regan resigned and Father Beltran was appointed Officialis. Many of the priests of the archdiocese were assigned to assist him on a part-time basis. In August 1968, Father Edward J. Dillon became Vice Officialis and four years later was named to head the department as Father Beltran went into parish work.

Today Father Peter Dora assists Father Dillon in the Marriage Tribunal and Father Stephen Churchwell, also assigned to this apostolate, is presently studying at Catholic University.

The archbishop assigns a group of priests to act as judges of cases presented to the Tribunal. Some of the first judges were Msgr. Joseph Maylan, Father Thomas Roshetko and Father Joseph Ware. Today the cases are judged by a group chosen from the following panel: Msgr. John F. Donoghue, Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan, Msgr. Noel C. Burtenshaw, Father Joseph Beltran, Father Richard Morrow and Father Michael A. Morris.

Pro-Life

The Pro-Life Office, working with the other Georgia based pro-life organizations is involved in efforts to pass a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution which would protect and support human life from conception to natural death.

The task of the archdiocesan pro-life office is not political, but educational and motivational. It coordinates church groups and activities within the archdiocese and relies on information and direction from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Office and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment. The primary objective of the office is to educate the community on the radical nature of the Supreme Court’s decisions on abortion, the growing incidence of infanticide, the trend toward euthanasia legislation and the need for a Human Life Amendment.

Through this office, speakers, films, tapes and slides are available to church, civic, educational and neighborhood groups. Father Edward J. Dillon serves as director of the Pro-Life Office, and Mrs. Marietta Pompilio and Mrs. Sheila Mallon are the coordinators.

Respect Life

The Respect Life Office coordinates Natural Family Planning programs throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Its seminars and training programs within local parishes offer a natural alternative to artificial birth control and educate couples on the acceptability and effectiveness of natural method.

Respect Life also works closely with the Friends of Life Auxiliary, whose members believe in the value of human life and provide material help in response to the needs of the pregnant woman in crisis who has decided to give birth to her child.

Father Edward. J. Dillon directs the Respect Life Office and Mrs. Mary Ellen Hughes is the coordinator.