Voice of the Faithful Focus, Dec. 29, 2011

Highlinging issues we face working together
to Keep the Faith, Change the Church

Clergy, Survivors Sign Plea Asking
Milwaukee Sex Abuse Victims to Come Forward
Priests, clergy sexual abuse survivors and abuse victims’ advocates have collaborated on a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal encouraging survivors to come forward before the Feb. 1, 2012, deadline for filing claims against the Milwaukee archdiocese, which is in bankruptcy.

Former Bishop Will Met with Irish Abuse Victims
For the first time in Ireland, a senior Roman Catholic prelate, Dublin Archbishop Dermot Clifford, has arranged for clergy sexual abuse victims to meet with the bishop, who was in charge in the diocese (Cloyne) when hundreds of abuse complaints were kept secret. Certain formerly secret portions of the Commission of Investigation into child sexual abuse in the diocese of Cloyne were made public Dec. 16.

‘Whistle-blower’ Priests Say Notifying
Church Lawyers Could Stifle Their Testimony
At least four priests called whistle-blowers by lawyers have come forward in Philadelphia hoping to aid prosecutors of current and former clergy members accused of sexual abuse, but an archdiocesan policy requiring them to notify church lawyers before talking to law enforcement could stifle the testimony.

Dealing with the New Translation of the Mass
Catholics in English-speaking countries continue to try to deal with the new Mass translation that went into widespread use during Advent. Is there any truth to the joke that the only difference between a terrorist and a liturgist is that you can negotiate with a terrorist? Were liturgists really in favor of the new translation.

Kenny’s Speech Marked Bad Year for Church in Ireland
Irish Times religious affairs correspondent Patsy McGarry has called 2011 another annus horribilis for the Catholic Church in Ireland, with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s speech castigating the Vatican one of the highlights, or lowlights.

Is Abuse Scandal the End for Dutch Catholicism?
Following up on a story from the Dec. 15 Focus regarding the tens of thousands of children abused by Catholic Church personnel in the Netherlands, at least one commentator wonders whether the scandal signals a requiem for Dutch Catholicism.

Tear Down Statute of Limitation on Cases of Child Sexual Abuse
A New York state assemblywoman from Queens who represents heavily Irish Catholic neighborhoods has stepped into the fray over local sex abuse horror stories and has offered a seemingly quite sensible solution, get rid of statutes of limitations on cases of sexual abuse against children. As in other states, this stance has pitted lawmakers against the Catholic Church. And you don’t have to be talking only about clergy child sexual abuse to believe that the opportunity for survivors to seek justice should never by curtailed.

Faith Response to Osama bin Landen’s Death
Voted Top Religion Story of 2011
The death of Osama bin Laden, which spurred discussions among people of faith on issues of forgiveness, peace, justice and retribution, has been voted the No. 1 Religion Story of 2011 by the nation’s leading religion journalists.