By Gretchen Keiser

A new pastor will be appointed to St. Jude's parish in Sandy Springs after Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, accepted the resignation of Father Michael Woods.

The former pastor offered his resignation in early August, but Bishop Lyke withheld accepting it, pending a meeting with parish staff and lay leaders and more time to consider the matter.

He declined comment on his decision to accept the resignation and appoint a new pastor, saying only, "that is a matter between me, Father Woods and the people of St. Jude's."

A private 90-minute discussion between the bishop and the St. Jude's parish Council of Ministries, a group of about 15 to 20 staff members and lay volunteer leaders, was held Aug. 19. Bishop Lyke also celebrated Mass at St. Jude's and met informally with parishioners afterwards.

It was an opportunity for him to hear the views of parishioners, several weeks after the priest publicly acknowledged that he had a sexual relationship with Victoria Long, who was a parishioner of his at St. John the Evangelist parish in Hapeville before he was assigned to St. Jude's.

The discussion with the Council of Ministries aired the parish views and needs "openly and honestly," Bishop Lyke said. While opinions were expressed, parish leaders recognized that the bishop would make the decision, he said, and "they were very supportive of whatever decision I would have to make."

Father David Talley, who has served as administrator of the parish since early August, will continue in that role until a new pastor is appointed.

A priest for one year, ordained in June 1989, Father Talley took leadership of the parish when the scandal broke. Father Austin Fogarty, also a parochial vicar at St. Jude's who was away on vacation at the time, returned in late August to the parish. A seminarian, Vector Reyes, will also be living at the rectory and helping the two priests, particularly with Hispanic ministry, Father Talley said.

Father Talley said a variety of opinions were present in the parish and among its leadership about how to move forward. At the meeting, he said, one theme was support both for Father Woods and for Bishop Lyke as the new administrator of the archdiocese.

Since the meeting, Father Talley invited the parishioners to write reflections on "what gifts should a priest/servant bring to the parish."

About 150 written responses have been submitted, he said, and will be reviewed by the staff for possible unifying themes and given to Bishop Lyke. The reflections were invited by the bishop, Father Talley said, to give the parish an opportunity to voice needs and are advisory only.

The bishop "understands that a parish needs a pastor," he said. "No matter what kind of job Father Austin and I can do, people need that sign of unity ... He said he wanted to make a good decision."

A letter was sent to the homes of all parishioners Sept. 5 informing them that Bishop Lyke had accepted the resignation of Father Woods. The information began to reach the news media later in the week.

The letter, signed by Father Talley, said the bishop had assured him that "Father Austin and I will stay at St. Jude's. We will be with you as the parish opens its heart to a new pastor."

"Bishop Lyke knows of our concerns, that the parish of St. Jude needs the leadership of a strong, spirit-filled pastor, and he is aware of issues like continuity and transition," the letter said.

"We have witnessed the renewal of this great parish," the letter said. "In large measure, Father Woods has been the instrument of that renewal. As he moves on, he has our hearts, but our work is not finished. We have Good News to proclaim."

Father Woods, 48, has been a priest in the archdiocese of Atlanta for 24 years and a pastor for 19 years at St. Joseph's in Dalton, and St. Joseph's in Athens, as well as St. John's in Hapeville and St. Jude's.

He remains in seclusion. Bishop Lyke said that it was premature for him to talk about a future assignment for Father Woods. His "future assignment will depend upon the completion of his therapy and the recommendations of his doctor," he said.

The parish school is back in session and Father Talley said he would visit each grade to talk to the children hoping to bring out the unresolved feelings and questions so they can "go on."