Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org, (617) 558-5252, (617) 680-213

For Immediate Release

Voice of the Faithful Calls for Catholic Bishops to
Follow Mandates of Charter for Protection of Children

07/05/07 - “How many more children will be abused before Church personnel learn how to handle complaints of child sexual abuse at the hands of priests and Church workers?” asked members of the “Protecting Our Children” working group of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF). “How many more Church workers will be intimidated against reporting suspected abuse? The Catholic Church is tarnished by these actions and inactions, as well as by adherence to a code of secrecy meant to protect the image of the Church. Children must be protected from abuse, and Church personnel must make the protection of children a priority.”

Recent developments in the Archdiocese of Chicago are of grave concern to members of the Protecting Our Children working group of Voice of the Faithful. The Archdiocese of Chicago has mishandled sexual abuse complaints against Rev. Daniel McCormack, who this week admitted in court to fondling young boys, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, and will most likely be defrocked.

Spokespersons for the Archdiocese of Chicago say they have learned from their mistakes; and Cardinal George has apologized for his inactions that allowed further abuse to occur after initial complaints were made against McCormack. Are we to believe that the Archdiocese is earnestly prepared to protect children? Are bishops following the conditions of the Charter they created? Is everyone in each parish aware of the responsibility to report suspected abuse and reports of abuse? Do they know their state mandated procedures? Are the informational materials from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on display on each parish? Has the Pastor or Parish Council organized a Safety Sunday program to educate parents and children? If any one of these conditions had been implemented, McCormack's damage could have been limited.

If we look at the recent archdiocesan action, the Cardinal's statements ring hollow. Although reporting suspected abuse is mandated in Illinois, when Catholic School Principal Barbara Westrick followed these state-reporting mandates, Cardinal George responded by not renewing the long-time principal’s contract.

Members of Protecting Our Children working group of VOTF support the Chicagoland VOTF affiliate in their quest for accountability, and we call on all bishops to adhere to the mandates of their own Charter: to fully implement prevention and training programs for clergy, laity, and children and to guarantee an effective response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

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About Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream 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 survivors of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching.