Contact: John Moynihan 617-680-2131, jmoynihan@votf.org

For Immediate Release

Statement by the Voice of the Faithful with regard to the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report of September 21, 2005

September 21, 2005 – Newton, Mass. Voice of the Faithful reacted with sadness to the Grand Jury finding of fault in the Philadelphia Archdiocese with regard to knowledge of and a cover up of clergy sexual abuse. President of Voice of the Faithful Jim Post stated, “The Grand Jury report documents what we have long known – a wide spread and extensive cover up of sexual abuse. The Grand Jury took pains to name the highest officials in the Archdiocese as significant players in this ongoing tragedy.. Catholics can not have accountability in our Church without the commitment of its leaders.”

The Philadelphia Grand Jury’s findings once again demonstrate the need for accountability and transparency in the Catholic Church.. As a result of a culture that avoids scandal at the risk of truth, too many lives have been ruined and many of these, beyond healing.

That Church leaders should call the heavily documented report a “diatribe” offends most blatantly the victims of their malfeasance, as well as all who aspire to a life based on Gospel values.. It’s time for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and for dioceses across the country to stop “shooting the messenger” and to get their house in order. It’s time for the entire Church community to gather as the People of God, make the changes that are called for, and move ahead “in communio.” The Church in the 21st Century has begun and Voice of the Faithful is committed to the substantive presence of the laity in this moment.

From the outset of its formation three years ago, Voice of the Faithful has been insisting on accountability and transparency in our Church. We stand ready to support those survivors who have lost so much. . We stand beside the vast majority of valiant priests whose reputations have been tarred by this scandal. We insist that the Church begin the necessary structural changes to repair a system of governance that no longer serves its people. We call upon good Catholics every where to insist upon “Accountability Now.”

Gaile Pohlhaus, Secretary of VOTF and a professor of theology at Villanova University in Philadelphia, stated, “I am impressed by the thoroughness of the Grand Jury’s investigation and appalled that no action can be taken by the government because of the limitations imposed by the Statute of Limitation laws. I agree with the Grand Jury recommendation to repeal the laws regarding the Statute of Limitations, especially with regard to abuse of children.”

//end

About Voice of the Faithful: Voice of the Faithful (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 abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching.

Read Voice of the Faithful of Greater Philadelphia's statement: SEX ABUSE A SYMPTON OF DEEPER MALADY IN CATHOLIC CHURCH