(Archbishop Donnellan's Statement on progress at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception … August 16, 1982.)

The tragic fire at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception elicited many expressions of sympathy from friends of the parish, Catholic and non-Catholic. It also brought forth many questions from concerned friends of the historic parish about plans for the future. Since Friday the sixth, many things have been and are being done. The area was made secure, the property was protected; artifacts, such as statues and stations, though fire-damaged, were cared for; visitors and sight-seers were made safe.

Presently a structural engineering firm is evaluating the damage done to load-bearing walls in the church; our representatives are dealing with our Insurance Company; the pastor, Father Thomas Giblin, OFM, is consulting with representatives of his Congregation, and the Archdiocesan Consultors are meeting to discuss the plans for the future.

It is well to remind ourselves that what was lost was a building, a physical structure. What remains is a parish, made up of priests and people, a vital part of the Church of Atlanta, part of the Church established by Christ, rich in His sacraments and His life. Please God the future of that parish will be as rich and promising as has been its past. The presence and vitality of Immaculate Conception Parish in the center of our City, adjacent to the halls of State and City Government, shall not be discontinued.

Indeed the parish's long record of service was enriched recently by the opening on last Holy Saturday of Saint Francis' Table, a hot lunch kitchen for the poor and homeless. In the tradition of the Friars it ministered to those in need, and offered to many of our people from different parts of the Archdiocese an opportunity to partake of the ministry of Christ to the poor.

To the question: Will the church of the Immaculate Conception be rebuilt?, the answer is: Yes. The specifics of how it will be rebuilt will be determined as quickly as possible as a result of the study and consultations now being done.

Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan Archbishop of Atlanta.