Newspaper Page Text
The
Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
Vol. 28 No. 26
Thursday, July 19, 1990
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Archbishop Marino Resigns; Administrator Named
Bishop Lyke Promises His 'Best'
Saying the Church of Atlanta “needs a shepherd who is
physically, spiritually and psychologically healthy,” Archbishop
Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, submitted his resignation to Pope John
Paul II as archbishop of Atlanta.
The pope accepted the archbishop’s resignation and appointed
Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, auxiliary bishop of Cleveland, as
apostolic administrator of the archdiocese. Both decisions were
announced July 10.
The same day a statement by Archbishop Marino to the people
of the archdiocese was released. The full text follows:
“It has been two years since my appointment as Archbishop
of Atlanta. Since that time, I have been received by you with
great welcome and affection, for which I am most grateful. Now,
however, I need an extended period of spiritual renewal,
psychological therapy and medical supervision.
“The Church of Atlanta needs a shepherd who is physically,
spiritually and psychologically healthy. Therefore, after a lengthy
period of prayer and consultation, I have decided to resign as
your Archbishop. I genuinely believe that this painful decision,
g which is entirely of my own choice, is in the best interest of the
a Church in Atlanta and of my own spiritual and psychological
3 well-being. It is my hope that I may, in God’s good time, be
able to devote all my energies to the service of the Church in
some less demanding capacity.
“My resignation will allow the Holy See to appoint a new
bishop for the Archdiocese. I pray you give him the same
Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ
generous cooperation and filial affection you lavished on me. I
deeply regret that my time of service to the Church in Atlanta
could not have been longer, and I apologize for any disappoint
ment and inconvenience that my decision causes for the work of
the Church or for you personally.
“Please pray that our merciful Father will give me that
healing which I need and which He alone can give. Please know
that you are always in my thoughts and that you have a special
place in my daily prayers.
“May Jesus Christ, the King, always reign in your lives and
may His Mother Mary keep each of you close to her Immaculate
Heart.”
INSIDE
Bishop Lyke
An opening statement page 2
Two Full Years
Archbishop’s impact great
despite short time page3
Counselor's View
BY GRETCHEN REISER
The new apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of Atlanta,
Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, 51, says he is coming in “know
ing that I will give my very best’ ’ to the archdiocese. -
After 11 years as an auxiliary bishop in Cleveland, Bishop
Lyke is ready for the new challenge before him, he says,
although his appointment is necessarily “bittersweet.”
“I’m happy to be named as apostolic administrator. It is an
honor,” Bishop Lyke said in an interview July 10, the day he
was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation for
health reasons of Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ.
"Coming in to take the place of a man I greatly admire,”
Bishop Lyke said, tempers the normal excitement of such an
appointment.
The bishop, a Franciscan who is one of the 13 black bishops
in the United States, will move to the archdiocese officially
August 11 and celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the
King Sunday, August 12.
His appointment by Pope John Paul II is effective immediate
ly.
Bishop Lyke came to Atlanta July 9, meeting that evening
with the College of Consultors, an advisory body of priests. His
appointment was announced by the Vatican at 6 a.m. July 10 in
Washington, D.C. A press conference was held at the Catholic
Center in Atlanta at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Lyke also met with the
heads of archdiocesan offices and departments that morning, and
walked through the offices later, meeting staff informally.
Some 15 to 20 priests and 20 Catholic Center staff members
listened to the bishop respond to press questions and applauded
him when he was introduced.
In the interview, Bishop Lyke said that he intended to give his
priority in Atlanta to parishes, and had canceled commitments
that would take him outside the diocese. He said he would
continue to try and minimize those appointments that would keep
him from archdiocesan work.
Despite the friendly cautions of staff, Bishop Lyke said that
he intends to visit every parish, mission and Catholic institution
(Continued on page 2)
Coping with the loss
page 6
BISHOP LYKE WELCOMED - Priests of the meet Bishop Lyke at the Catholic Center July 10, his
archdiocese, Father Richard Kieran, Father Ed Thein, first day in Atlanta. (Photo by Linda Schaefer)
Father Richard Wise, and Father Tom Carroll, MS,