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For Immediate Release
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL CALLS ON BISHOP MURPHY TO RESCIND
BAN ON NEW YORK-BASED GROUP CHURCH MEETINGS
Newton, Mass. - August 13, 2002 - Voice of the Faithful
(VOTF), a group of over 25,000 lay Catholics formed in response
to the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, today
expresses its deep disappointment to learn that Bishop William F.
Murphy has banned VOTF members from assembling on church property
in the diocese of Rockville Center, Long Island, New York.
Bishop Murphy has declined to provide an explanation or rationale
for his opposition to VOTF assembly on church property. His decision
undermines the pastoral role of a bishop and the communal role of
the church in the lives of Catholics.
Sheila Peiffer, a Voice of the Faithful member in Long Island,
NY, believes Bishop Murphy's decision was made in haste and invites
him to speak openly with the group. "I believe that Bishop Murphy
made this decision based on limited VOTF knowledge. The people of
God are the church, and the laity are serious about implementing
the vision of Vatican II. I hope that he would reconsider his decision
and open a channel of communications with the group."
"In denying Catholics the right to assemble on property built and
maintained by their donations, Bishop Murphy compounds the pain
and outrage felt by parishioners everywhere," says James A. Post,
Voice of the Faithful's president. "We maintain his prohibition
is inconsistent with the spirit of our church as well as its doctrinal
law, and stand committed to continue to organize the lay faithful
for our healing and to further the work of the church."
Mr. Post's statement is also underscored in the Theologian Petition,
released at VOTF's July 20th conference. In this petition, 68 prominent
theologians signed in support of VOTF's right to assemble. The petition
states: "…we fully support the right and responsibility of Voice
of the Faithful to meet in prayerful discernment of the signs of
the times, and to present to the hierarchy for confirmation and
implementation what their sense of faith requires them to voice,"
The Theologian Petition was created by Tom Beaudoin, William Clark,
SJ, and Anthony Massimini.
A shared commitment of the hierarchy, clergy, and laity
to address what Pope John Paul II calls a story of "shame and scandal"
requires informed and open dialogue to discuss the root cause of
the problems facing the church today. This dialogue must acknowledge
a culture that placed the image of the church ahead of protecting
children and a management structure that is not based on the collaborative
vision of Vatican II.
VOTF is seeking to be an agent of healing and reconciliation, working
within the doctrinal laws of the Catholic Church VOTF respectfully
calls on Bishop Murphy to rescind his decision. VOTF stands ready
to meet with Bishop Murphy to answer questions and provide assurances
of our constructive intent. The organization will also continue
to assist new chapters on Long Island, across the nation and around
the world via organization, self-education regarding the rights
and responsibilities of lay Catholics, and prayerful materials supporting
the victim/survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
For more information regarding VOTF, please visit our Web site
at www.votf.org or call our home office located in Newton, Mass.
at 617- 558-5252.
About Voice of the Faithful
Voice of the Faithful is a Newton, Mass.-based organization of concerned
Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis.
The group's mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to
the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate
in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals
are to support victim/survivors of abuse, support priests of integrity,
and shape structural change within the Catholic Church. VOTF's supporting
membership exceeds 25,000 registered individuals from more than
40 U.S. states and 21 countries.
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