By Gretchen Keiser

Six months since he learned that he has inoperable cancer, Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, says he continues to hope for "divine intervention," but that he is at peace with himself and with God.

The tumor in the lining of his lung "has not gone into remission," despite treatment first with Interferon and later with a mild form of chemotherapy.

Recent tests showed a small lesion in the brain, the archbishop said, and he had daily radiation treatment for it that concluded October 15.

"I still have not given up on some form of divine intervention," the archbishop said during an interview at his home October 9. He also said that despite the abrupt news of his serious illness last April he has been able to accept the diagnosis without anger.

"There have been times I've cried, wondered, asked questions. But at the end I said, 'Lord, whatever you want.'"

Recently he had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession during which he reviewed his entire life. "I had a beautiful general confession that was very good and I had a great sense of peace with myself and with God after that confession," he said.

The most difficult part has been the limitation illness places on every aspect of his life, he said, "the utter limitation of not being able to do anything" because of physical weakness. His oncologist, Dr. Carlos Franco, said the positive news recently is that through medication he has been able to avert anemia and fever for the archbishop, and to keep him relatively comfortable and free of pain.

"Not being able to go out to the parishes is very, very hard," Archbishop Lyke commented, but he said the "many, many notes of support and prayers ... especially from the archdiocese" have been "very good."

The people "seem to understand more than I do that I cannot work" at a normal pace, he said. Despite that, the archbishop recently celebrated Mass installing the new pastor at St. Anthony's parish, took part in meetings at his residence, and gave a television interview on a statement by the Georgia bishops on the lottery amendment. He continues to handle volumes of correspondence with his staff and to meet regularly with Monsignor Edward Dillon and Father Don Kenny, vicar general and chancellor, to whom he has delegated administrative tasks.

At his residence, in addition to Father Kenny, he is being helped by his sister, Doris Fields, who came here from Chicago, and by his "adopted sister" Erma Laws, who is from Memphis. Both have been here since early September.

He is energized by the opportunities for public contact that he seizes, and by those he is graced with the strength to do. Nevertheless, he sees a greater lesson in what he is no longer able to do.

"I've certainly learned much more clearly what is essential and what is not. I think a lot of what I did, and what we do as people, is we make certain things essential that are not necessary for life," he reflected. "...I certainly did not take care of myself."

Now the former pace of constant meetings and projects appears less essential. "You get a sense that all that was not as important. In a certain way of speaking you get a sense that God alone is important," Archbishop Lyke said.

The ranking black bishop in the U.S., Archbishop Lyke has been in the forefront of civil rights throughout much of his priestly life, but always from the perspective of the Gospel and the Catholic Church.

Reflecting on the current presidential election campaign, he detects a paralysis on the part of not only the candidates, but the people as to how to move the country forward on issues of race and poverty.

The absence of discussion about race relations, particularly so soon after the Rodney King verdict and Los Angeles riots, suggests to him that "people of good will do not have the slightest idea what to do ... I think it shows how powerless people feel about it and how powerless the candidates feel about it."

He expressed concern that the "utter frustration" being experienced by too many people in the U.S. will lead to further social upheavals. The archbishop voiced his conviction that neighborhood parochial schools, not only Catholic, but also Protestant, are one viable answer to problems faced by black youth, if such schools could receive a share of public educational funds.

"I think the Catholic Church has one of the best solutions long term to the question of race and that is our parochial schools," the archbishop said. "If Protestant churches that are neighborhood based could have their own schools, it would be a great asset."

"I still think the black church is the strongest institution in the black community," he said. "It's the only institution we own."

Reflecting on the two years he has spent leading the archdiocese of Atlanta, first as its administrator and now as archbishop, he said he hopes that he has given people a sense of greater participation in setting the direction of the archdiocese. He also said he wanted to establish an atmosphere of candor.

Entering as administrator following the resignation of Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, was difficult, Archbishop Lyke said. "I think we did the very best we could in handling the very difficult situation I inherited."

"I certainly felt supported by the people ... I really have a sense that we together handled that difficulty. It wasn't just something I did."

He said that the former Atlanta archbishop, who is at an undisclosed location, has telephoned him in recent months and is praying for him.

For the archdiocese now to be experiencing a life-threatening situation to their new archbishop is "a great mystery," Archbishop Lyke acknowledged. "I can't figure that out ... It just seems that if any archdiocese should not go through what we're going through, it would be this one."

However, the fact that this dramatic series of events is happening invites everyone to reflect, he said. "I think the fact that it has occurred urges everybody, not just myself, to think about life itself."