Voice of the Faithful
   
     
Subscribe to VOTF Newsletter
Email:
 
    Keep the Faith, Change the Church    
top 2
 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL CALLS FOR DISCLOSURE,
ACCOUNTABILITY AT BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

Lay Reform Group Sets Expectations for "Accountability Phase"
of Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis

St. Louis, Mo., June 19, 2003 -- Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), the worldwide movement of lay Catholics that came into prominence in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, made several announcements today in a press briefing held before the first session of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Conference got underway.

Why VOTF Came to the Conference

Spokesperson Luise Dittrich announced that VOTF "is here in St., Louis because we have committed ourselves to engage our bishops in dialogue, while holding them accountable for their actions, inactions and roles regarding clergy sexual abuse. We're also here to bear witness to the ongoing suffering of victim/survivors, and to call for lay Catholics across the U.S. to shed apathy and join our mission of cleansing and healing.

"We've come to insist on full disclosure of documents and reports that are made to the bishops at this conference, such as Saturday's planned interim report from the National Review Board. In the current climate of distrust, the bishops must bend over backwards towards openness and transparency, or else be seen as lacking the moral will to follow through on their commitments, and perpetuating the culture of secrecy that caused this mess."

VOTF Leader Krueger Called for Truth and Disclosure

Steve Krueger, VOTF executive director, said, "As more and varied revelations continue to assault us, we find ourselves on the threshold of a new 'accountability phase.' As we look to the frontier of accountability today, the first landmark we see on the horizon is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth -- so help us God.

"Last year the bishops gave us their words and their good intentions. But as we entered this conference it was disturbing to learn that 65 of the country's 195 dioceses -- almost one-third -- had not responded to the NRB questionnaire to assess their diocese. Today, we wait to hear on the progress that has been made in the past 12 months. Ultimately, the entire USCCB will be judged on their actions, not their words."

Krueger concluded, "Accountability is essential to the very survival of the Catholic Church. It is the bridge by which trust can be restored."

Positive Report Came from VOTF-Brooklyn

Melissa Gradel, spokesperson for VOTF-Brooklyn, reported that in the face of a diocesan ban on VOTF meetings on Church property, "Six VOTF leaders and five representatives of the diocese sat down together and found plenty of common ground. When we explained what VOTF is about and what we hoped to accomplish in Brooklyn, I think [the bishops] realized that we are not the enemy, but concerned members of the Catholic family.

"Ultimately, [his fact-finding] committee recommended to Bishop Daily that he rescind the ban and he did. He issued a statement saying that he had found VOTF documents to be in accord with Church teachings and expressing his hope that his decision might enable all of us to better achieve the needed healing in our Church."

VOTF-Arizona Reported Turmoil, Anger and Shame

Sandy Simonson, spokesperson for VOTF-Arizona, reported that "the reaction of Arizona Catholics [to recent events involving Bishop Thomas O'Brien] has been one of shock, outrage, sadness and shame.

"We are ashamed that priests in our diocese have sexually abused members of their congregations. We are furious that these revelations of abuse have taken so many years to be disclosed and dealt with by our bishop, and that external legal and media forces were required to bring out the truth. We are grateful that we have a County Attorney willing to use his office to pursue the truth of this abuse and the episcopal malfeasance that enabled it.

"Perhaps the saddest lesson is that while Bishop O'Brien refused to meet with concerned laity, he was willing to negotiate structural leadership change with the county attorney. More shocking is that the Vatican will sooner cede power to civil authorities than negotiate change with the Catholic Faithful."

Simonson concluded her remarks with a comment on the recent tragic turn of events in Phoenix: "Sadly, the events in the Diocese of Phoenix were eclipsed this week by a tragic accident and the arrest of Bishop O'Brien for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. We have a sense of profound sadness as we pray for the family of James Reed, as well as Bishop O'Brien and his family."

VOTF Released New Survey Results

Also today, Voice of the Faithful released the results of a June e-survey of their members that explored two questions:

  1. "What qualites do you think are important to have in a bishop?"

  2. "What is your assessment of the state of the crisis?"

Members who were surveyed responded at an overwhelming rate of 40%, and indicated that the top three qualities they were seeking in their next bishop were:

  1. "willingness to work cooperatively, respectfully, and with trust with laity and clergy"
  2. "integrity"
  3. "spiritual presence"

When asked whether they agreed or disagreed that "most of the damaging news about clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has already been disclosed," only 26% agreed. When asked if they believed that "the bishop of my diocese is working to restore trust," just 31% agreed. When asked if they believed that "Catholic bishops are genuinely committed to cleaning up the clergy sexual abuse crisis," a scant 23% agreed. And when asked if they believed that "the Vatican is genuinely committed to cleaning up the clergy sexual abuse crisis," a mere 11% agreed.

A Cross-Section of VOTF Nationwide Represented at Briefing

Besides representatives from VOTF-Boston, VOTF-Brooklyn and VOTF-Arizona, the organization showed unity and scope by introducing regional coordinator Lola McIntyre from VOTF-Indianapolis and new members Ken Parker and Jim Hone from VOTF-St. Louis. Also introduced as honored guests at the briefing were SNAP leaders Barbara Blaine and Mark Serrano, as well as Mr. Serrano's parents.

###

 

 

 

top 3

Find a Parish Voice affiliate in your area.

Calendar of events


Click here to get your copy of Keep the Faith, Change the Church.

Voice of the Faithful is recognized as one of the most promising lay organizations to evolve in the Catholic Church. Your support is absolutely necessary for us to continue. The online donation form and the mail in donation form are both quick and easy ways for you to participate, and we are most grateful. (VOTF is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. )

VOTF™
Mission Statement

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.

 

Our Goals

1. To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

2. To support priests of integrity

3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.
More


right line

Pray Each Day
at Noon

Jesus, Lord and Brother, help us with our faithfulness. Please hear our voice, and let our voice be heard. Amen. More

 

         

home | survivor support | clergy support | about us | press | contact us| site map

Copyright © 2006 Voice of the Faithful, Inc. All rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions

Voice of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
Voice of Compassion, VOTF logo(s), Parish Voice, and
Prayerful Voice are trademarks of Voice of the Faithful, Inc.