By Rita McInerney

Father Peter Ludden, chancellor of the archdiocese of Atlanta, has been named a monsignor by Pope John Paul II.

News of the papal honor was relayed to Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, S.S.J., the morning of March 22 in a telephone call from the office of Archbishop Pio Laghi, apostolic pro-nuncio in Washington, D.C.

Father Ludden, recently home from a stay in Florida, received word of his appointment at the archbishop’s residence. Later in the morning the archbishop made the announcement at the meeting of the archdiocesan Council of Priests.

Investiture will take place at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Sunday, April 2, during the Vespers Service with Archbishop Marino presiding. A reception will follow at the Hyland Center and the public is invited.

According to the apostolic pro-nuncio’s office, the title is Prelate of Honor of His Holiness. After the investiture, Father Ludden will be addressed as Reverend Monsignor.

Father Ludden accepted the congratulations of chancery staff member March 22 during a brief visit to his office at the Catholic Center. The surprised chancellor found his desk brightly decorated with flowers, balloons and greetings. He was accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Joan O’Reilly, visiting from Dublin, Ireland.

Brother and sister were on their way to the airport to welcome their two brothers arriving from Ireland in early evening.

Archbishop Marino submitted his request that the honor be conferred on Father Ludden during his recent visit to Rome for the meeting of the pope and Vatican officials with U.S. archbishops.

Father Ludden was diagnosed as having cancer of the liver Feb. 27. He had gall bladder surgery scheduled that day at Piedmont Hospital but surgeons discovered the liver malignancy. He was released from the hospital March 7.

A native of Dublin, Father Ludden, 50, has served the archdiocese since 1967. He was ordained June 10, 1967 at St. Patrick’s College in Carlow, along with Father Edward Dillon and Father Paul Fogarty.

He was first assigned to Holy Cross Church in Chamblee and taught for one year at St. Joseph’s High School in Atlanta.

He was pastor at St. John Vianney in Lithia Springs and Holy Spirit in Atlanta before being appointed founding pastor for St. Andrew’s, Roswell on June 10, 1981. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan appointed him vice-chancellor April 12, 1983. He has served on the archdiocesan board of consultors since 1981.