Effective July 1, 1993, Father Terry Young assumes the position of Secretary for Education for the archdiocese of Atlanta. He succeeds Sister Roberta Schmidt, CSJ, who has served as either Superintendent of Catholic Schools or Secretary for Education from 1980 to 1993.

In addition, the position of Secretary for Education has been changed into a part-time position rather than a full-time one. Father Young remains pastor of St. Benedict’s in Duluth.

A priest of the archdiocese of Atlanta for 21 years, Father Young has been in education for 20 of those years, as a teacher first and then principal of St. Piux X High School from 1976 until 1991. He took an education sabbatical from 1991 to 1992 and became pastor of St. Benedict’s when he returned to parish ministry.

The change in staffing is part of a broader picture emerging from a lengthy review process of all archdiocesan agencies, offices and departments. The process was initiated by Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, with Convocation of priests and department heads in 1991. It was continued since then through a Pastors Task Force on finances and Convocation of priests in February 1993.

The Secretariat for Education, which oversees the Office of Catholic Schools, the Office of Religious Education and Campus Ministries, has been given the following guidelines as a result:

That the position of Secretary for Education be made a part-time position and be filled by a pastor, with the belief that a pastor will be better positioned to ensure that the office is responsive to the needs of parishes.

That the services of the Office of Religious Education be expanded in the area of youth ministry.