BY THEA JARVIS

Staff Writer

MARIETTA--Shortly after being chosen as a 1996 Olympic torch bearer, Father Pat Bishop told his parishioners he feared the upcoming run would mean his early demise.

"I'm afraid I'm going to drop dead," said the diminutive pastor of Transfiguration Church. "I'm 50 years old and the personification of a couch potato."

Some in the Archdiocese of Atlanta remember the youthful Father Bishop, when the Atlanta native and former St. Pius X High School teacher was just out of seminary. White sneakers and braces were his trademark, and his faithful St. Bernard, Bernie, who seemed twice the size of his master, was always by his side.

"I haven't worn my sneakers in a long time," admitted Father Bishop, who recently celebrated 22 years as a priest, but he's planning to drag them out for some much-needed exercise soon.

Olympic torch-bearers have been advised that they may walk, run, jog or roll their wheelchairs for up to half a mile, a distance Father Bishop claims he hasn't walked in 20 years. Participants will also wear standard issue running shorts, socks and shirt.

"I'm not thrilled about appearing before so many people in what looks like my underwear," Father Bishop joked. "It's not going to be a pretty sight."

Despite his levity, the self-effacing pastor of over 2,600 Cobb County Catholic households has been deeply touched by his Olympic moment.

"I have a lot of mixed emotions," he said, explaining that two of his parishioners, Bob Ley and Mark Murphy, are torch bearers who have "done very inspiring things" to earn their spots on the team. Ley is active with the Special Olympics and Murphy with the American Cancer Society.

"Then there's me," Father Bishop said humbly. "It's an incredible honor."

Father Bishop's selection was a total surprise to the priest, who didn't even know he had been nominated to join 10,000 other Americans in the 15,000-mile, 42-state relay. His first hint of fame came with an official phone call from Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola advising him that he was one of over 900 Georgia heroes who would receive and pass off the Olympic flame.

The torch run began its U.S. leg in Los Angeles April 27 and is scheduled to reach Savannah July 10, ending in Atlanta with the lighting of the Olympic torch July 19.

An anonymous Transfiguration parishioner nominated Father Bishop, citing the enthusiastic leadership and youthful spirit with which he inspires and unifies the parish.

Eschewing such compliments, Father Bishop is nonetheless delighted that a Catholic priest, "will be part of the home team."

"I'm really proud that as I run, I run as a priest," he said. Across the archdiocese and around the world, he feels, most priests are "good, generous, loving people who have the Olympic spirit."

"It's really affirming that a parish would think enough of a priest to nominate him," he said.