By Paula Day

Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, the archdiocese’s new leader, comes to this, his most recent leadership role, with a wealth of experience.

The man who noted he would have more than 24 years to serve the Church of Atlanta before retirement could lead North Georgia’s Catholics well into the 21^st century. At 53 he has accomplished goals, extraordinary by any standard, the latest of which is being appointed the first black archbishop in the U.S.

In 1985 then Bishop Marino was elected by his fellow bishops to serve as secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops-U.S. Catholic Conference. He was the first black and the first auxiliary bishop to hold this, one of the NCCB-USCC’s four major offices. His election to this post was “a sign of his fellow bishops’ admiration and respect,” commented Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati, vice-president of the Conference, in a recent telephone interview.

Prior to his election as secretary, the USCC, the civil body that assists the bishops in their service to the Church in this country, frequently called upon Bishop Marino to represent it before congressional and other political bodies on issues important to the Church in the U.S.

For example, in March, 1981, Bishop Marino testified at a hearing in Washington conducted by the US. Senate Agriculture Committee. At that time he expressed the bishops’ concern that the food stamp program be continued to insure that the poor in this country would have enough to eat.

Again on behalf of the USCC, he told the House Committee on Housing and Community Development in January, 1984, that the problem of homelessness was growing. In June, 1984, he presented testimony for the USCC dealing with 14 public-policy questions to the Democratic Party Platform Committee. His testimony made the point that the social doctrine of the Church is not a “narrowly sectarian body of thought and teaching. Its fundamental insight is the dignity of the human person.” In September of that year, Bishop Marino was one of 10 black bishops to issue a pastoral letter on evangelization called “What We Have Seen and Heard.”

As secretary of the NCCB-USCC, Bishop Marino serves on its executive committee with three other bishops. Archbishop John L. May of St. Louis is president; Archbishop Pilarczyk, vice-president; Bishop John R. McGann of Rockville Centre, N.Y., treasurer. This committee handles NCCB-USCC business that cannot wait for the semi-annual fall and spring sessions of the Conference.

The committee meets “whenever we need to, maybe once or twice a month,” NCCB president, Archbishop John May said in a telephone interview. As secretary, Bishop Marino certifies the minutes and signs legal documents; as an officer he “offers a great deal of input. He’s always pleasant – very down to earth and easy to talk to,” Archbishop May added.

Recently Bishop Marino was involved in a conference call with other officers about the controversial statement on the church’s response to AIDS. From this exchange came the decision to put the matter on the agenda for the NCCB June meeting.

Bishop Marino had a general role in planning the recent papal visit. He was particularly and especially involved in planning the pope’s meeting with black Catholics in New Orleans.

The executive committee’s work extends beyond U.S. boundaries. Bishop Marino and other officers met in 1987 with officers of the Canadian Bishops Conference and members of CELAM, the South American bishops’ organization, to discuss common concerns of the Church in this hemisphere. This year the NCCB officers met with their Canadian counterparts in Miami. “Bishop Marino holds his own with others,” observed Archbishop Pilarczyk.

His many responsibilities have not, however, hampered Archbishop Marino’s building ties of friendship. Boston’s Cardinal Bernard Law, in a telephone interview provided some insights.

“I knew him at a time that predated either of us as bishops. I perceive him as a dear friend.” Recently Bishop Marino went to Boston for three days “to think and pray.”

“I’ve always looked upon him since the days in Mississippi as a good friend. I knew his family there.”

Cardinal Law characterized Archbishop Marino as “an exceedingly calm man, a man of great peace that flows from a deep inner strength and a deep prayer life.”

“He has dealt in a grace-filled way with adversity in his own life,” the cardinal commented.

“He has a keen sense of the Church. He’s sensitive to issues. He sees the symbolic value of being the first black archbishop, but he also sees all that in the perspective of who he is as a bishop. He is a very kind man.”

Cardinal Law pointed out that the archbishop’s administrative responsibilities as vicar general in the Society of St. Joseph will serve him well as Atlanta’s Catholic leader.

“He knows administrative work. He knows working with personnel, especially with priest personnel. He knows how to be a pastor to the pastors.”

Archbishop Pilarczyk said of his working relationship with Atlanta’s new Church leader, “I’ve found Bishop Marino sensitive, humane. He knows what’s going on. He’s concerned about the feelings of those he’s dealing with. He’s a comfortable man to be around.

“The Church of Atlanta is very blessed to get Archbishop Marino,” he concluded.

Cardinal Law concurred. “There is some value to coming from the outside (of the local Church). He comes with no prejudgment and allows everyone to begin in a very positive moment. It is certainly a good moment for the archdiocese of Atlanta. The archdiocese is so lucky; he is so lucky. The local church is a growing Church. In 20 years – from that perspective – we’ll be amazed at the growth. He’ll be part of that – a creative part of that. He’s youthful and healthy.”

Added to this youth and health, Archbishop Marino brings to Atlanta his extensive experience in Church leadership: 14 years as auxiliary bishop in the nation’s capital and, more recently, experience serving as executive secretary for the NCCB-USCC.