Decree Elevating The Status of The Korean Martyrs Mission In The Municipality of Doraville, Georgia, To The Status Of A Parish

Whereas the People of God of Doraville, Georgia, have been served by the Korean Martyrs Mission since August 8, 1977, and whereas the Catholic population of the area has increased, has shown its ability to sustain a Parish with its own ministries and activities in support of liturgy and spiritual formation, education and sacramental preparation, apostolic outreach and community service, and

Having heard the advice of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on November 19, 2008, in this matter, and

In order to provide effective ministry and service to the community of Doraville and its environs,

I do hereby decree that the Korean Martyrs Mission be raised to the status of a Parish, effective Midnight on the 19th day of November in the Year of Our Lord 2008. The new parish shall retain the name of Korean Martyrs and shall celebrate its feast day each year on September 20.

All persons heretofore members of the Korean Martyrs Mission, whether by domicile or by the custom of registration, shall be members of the new Parish. All Catholics who reside within the territory of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and are of Korean descent are hereby permitted to ascribe themselves and their immediate families as members of Korean Martyrs Catholic Church.

The voluntary offerings of the faithful and other grants and bequests that have been made or will be made to the Mission shall constitute the revenue of the new Parish as the legal successor in interest to the Mission, as shall the financial assets and liabilities of the Mission. The pastor or administrator is to constitute a Parish Finance Council to advise him in matters of temporal administration. The pastor or administrator shall see that a new seal is made for the parish, and shall forward the seal of the former Mission to the Archdiocesan Archives. Other actions and details to implement this decree, such as notification of title change to financial and other institutions, shall be attended to with diligence by the pastor or administrator, with the assistance of appropriate Archdiocesan staff.

The appointment of a pastor or administrator and other such clergy as the diocesan ordinary may judge appropriate for the pastoral care and governance of the parish shall be made separately prior to the effective date of this decree.

Given in Atlanta, Georgia, this 19th day of the month November in the Year of Our Lord 2008.

Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta