WHAT IS THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
The Georgia Catholic Conference (GCC) is under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia. The Conference activities are based on Catholic teachings, particularly Catholic social doctrine, and on protection of the Catholic character of Church ministries and institutions. The Executive Director and other representatives are in daily contact with State legislators during the annual sessions of the Georgia General Assembly and are available throughout the year to accomplish the mission of the Conference.
MISSION OF THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
The Georgia Catholic Conference witnesses to spiritual values in public affairs, and provides an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. Under the direction of the Catholic bishops of Georgia, the Conference promotes public policy positions related to Georgia governmental programs, legislation and policies which affect the common good and interest of the Catholic Church.
The Georgia Catholic Conference encourages all the people of Georgia to inform their consciences about the moral dimension of public policy and exercise their constitutional rights of participation in the political process. The Conference periodically sponsors conferences directed toward these ends.
The Conference adopts policy positions on a non-partisan basis, takes no part in political campaigns and does not support any candidate or political party.
HISTORY OF THE GEORGIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan of Atlanta and Bishop Gerald L. Frey of Savannah established the Georgia Catholic Conference in 1972 with the appointment of Rev. Michael A. (Tony) Morris as Executive Secretary.
Immediately prior to the 1975 legislative session, Archbishop Donnellan and Bishop Raymond W. Lessard of Savannah appointed Mr. Cheatham A. Hodges, Jr. as Executive Secretary (later changed to Executive Director) of the Conference. Mr. Hodges served in that capacity until his retirement in June 2002.
In 1999, Francis J. Mulcahy, associated with Mr. Hodges in representing the Conference and, upon Mr. Hodges’ retirement in 2002, took over full responsibility for Conference activities.
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GEORGIA
The Catholic Church in Georgia is comprised of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah.
STATISTICS (2011):
| Archdiocese of Atlanta | Archdiocese of Savannah | |
| Total Population: | 6,998,399 | 2,800,000 |
| Total Catholic Population: | 900,000 | 77,287 |
| Parishes and Missions: | 97 | 79 |
| Priests: | 280 | 114 |
| Deacons: | 242 | 54 |
| Religious Sisters: | 90 | 88 |
| Religious Brothers: | 33 | 3 |
| Seminarians: | 39 | 15 |
| Catholic Schools: | 26 | 21 |
| Hospitals: | 5 | 1 |
| Homes for the Aged: | 3 | 0 |
| Catholic Charities Atlanta, Inc. | Catholic Charities of Savannah |