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For Immediate Release
Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org (617) 680-2131 (cell)
Voice of the Faithful Delivers Petition to Bishops
November 13, 2006
Mary Pat Fox, President of the Catholic reform group, Voice of the Faithful
(VOTF), delivered a petition signed by over 8,000 faithful Catholics
to The Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin
and Chair of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People
for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The meeting,
which was described as “cordial” by both sides, took place
in Baltimore on Friday, November 10, 2006. The petition called on the
Bishops to:
- Fully fund and complete the USCCB study (“Causes & Context”),
to determine the underlying structural and cultural causes of the
clergy sexual abuse scandal—and act on the recommendations in
a timely manner.
- Create a national database of credibly accused priests to help
protect countless children from further abuse and to validate the
claims of
those who have been abused.
- Achieve financial accountability by ensuring that finance
councils in each diocese and every parish are genuine and effective; and require
the regular release of all financial documents necessary to
ensure financial transparency.
The “Causes and Context Study” was approved by the Bishops
at their meeting in Dallas in 2002 and awarded to the John Jay College
of the City University of New York last November. The agreement with
John Jay calls on the school to raise the differential between the $1
million authorized and the full cost of the study. VOTF believes that
this study is an essential step in ending this terrible crisis that has
been so damaging to our Church. We would expect every bishop would vote
in favor of releasing the $335,000 called for at this time and we would
hope at least some bishops would encourage the USCCB to guarantee the
funding of the entire study in the event John Jay College is not able
to raise all of the remaining funds necessary (approximately 2.5 -$3M).
The expected completion of the study is not until 2009, given its complexity.
Any delay due to lack of funding is unacceptable.
National Data Base
A VOTF survey of all the diocesan web sites in the country has revealed
that 21 dioceses list one or more credibly accused priests by name,
so there is a precedent for this action. A national standardized
data base would make it easier for parents and concerned adults to
identify
known perpetrators and will further validate the claims of survivors.
At minimum the list should include all assignments, current status
and a photo of the priest. Only one diocese, Philadelphia, currently
provides for this minimum.
The survey also revealed that 32 dioceses do not list the Victim
Assistance Coordinator (VAC) contact information on their web sites.
Bishops need
to increase the level of outreach to survivors. VAC contact information
should be listed in every parish bulletin and every diocesan newspaper.
The names of abusive priests should also be regularly listed in all
parish bulletins where they worked. Our Church leaders must do
all they can
to let survivors know that they are concerned for all those who have
yet to come forward
Financial Accountability
In addition to the sexual abuses tragedy, the numerous financial scandals
that have been recently revealed have shaken the trust of Catholics
all over the nation – again. VOTF requests the Bishops to join
us in implementing effective finance councils in every parish and
diocese in
the country. Only through full accountability and transparency of
Church financial affairs will the trust of the faithful be restored.
Open House
Mary Pat Fox (VOTF President) and Gaile Pohlhaus (Secretary) have sent
all the U.S. Bishops an open invitation to meet with them later today
at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, site of the USCCB meeting. “More
than 35,000 Catholics have identified themselves as VOTF members and
we know many more Catholics are eager to work with the bishops to reach
out to survivors, support priests of integrity and work together towards
greater accountability in our Church from reforming antiquated sexual
abuse laws to better protecting minors to improved financial transparency," said
Mary Pat Fox. “We hope that today’s meetings will lead to
further discussions with VOTF members back in their home dioceses so
that we might work together in furthering the improvement of our Church.”
"Deliver Us From Evil” Documentary Screening Tonight
The award-winning documentary “Deliver Us From Evil” will
be screened tonight (11/13) at the Charles Theatre 1711 N. Charles St.,
Baltimore (a short distance from the Marriot). You can reserve a place
by emailing to RSVP@alliedbalt.com. Mention “Deliver Us From Evil” in
the subject line and state whether you will be bringing a guest as well
as the date of the screening you are attending.
John Moynihan is available by cell phone and is at the Marriot Waterfront
to discuss this release.
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