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Press Releases

Voice of the Faithful writes USCCB's NRB about Distress at Bishop Finn Ordinations

BOSTON, Mass., May 13, 2015 – Roman Catholic Church reform movement Voice of the Faithful wrote today to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Review Board, which oversees the Church’s child protection policies, declaiming its distress that disgraced Bishop Robert Finn will preside at ordinations this month in his former diocese. In doing so, we add our voices to those of SNAP and other organizations that believe public support for abuse survivors and endorsement of strong child protection policies is essential for the Church.

Here is the text of the letter:

Voice of the Faithful Applauds Vatican Acceptance of Statutes for Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

BOSTON, Mass., May 8, 2015 – Roman Catholic Church reform movement Voice of the Faithful applauds today’s promulgation of the statutes governing the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Established at the height of publicity surrounding clergy sexual abuse in the United States in 2002, VOTF considers this step significant because it ratifies the Commission’s independence from Curia-controlled offices and because the statutes were written by the Commission members themselves.

Vatican's failure to hold Bishop Barros accountable disheartens Voice of the Faithful Church reform movement

BOSTON, Mass., Mar. 31, 2015 – The Vatican’s recent statement that the Congregation of Bishops has found “no objective reason to preclude” Juan Madrid Barros’ appointment as bishop of Osorno, Chile, is extremely disheartening to Catholic Church reform movement Voice of the Faithful, especially in light of the promise of Francis’ papacy for a more accountable, collegial Church.

Voice of the Faithful Catholic returns to Hartford April 18 for 2015 National Assembly

BOSTON, Mass., Aug. 20, 2014 -- Voice of the Faithful®, a reform movement Roman Catholics that started in 2002, will hold its 2015 National Assembly on Saturday, April 18, at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. The featured speaker will be Marie Collins, a Catholic clergy sexual abuse survivor from Ireland who is a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Catholics Concerned Controversial Prelate's Presence Send Wrong Message

BOSTON, Mass., Mar. 12, 2014 – Voice of the Faithful®, a movement of Catholics gravely concerned about the Catholic Church’s clergy sexual abuse scandal and Church structures that permit it, said today that Cardinal Edward Egan’s prominent role this Saturday in a celebration featuring a children’s choir is ill-advised considering controversial involvement in that scandal.

Movement of Catholics Motivated by Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal Gathers for 2014 Assembly in Harford, April 5

BOSTON, Mass., Feb. 26, 2014 – Voice of the Faithful®, a movement of Catholics started in 2002 at the height of the Boston, Mass., clergy sexual abuse scandal, will hold its “2014 Assembly: Turning Talk into Action” on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. Registration is $80 per person, and lunch is included.

VOTF National Statement: Is Catholic Church in Ireland Backpedaling on Child Protection?

Boston, Mass., Jan. 23, 2014 -- The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland appears to be backpedaling from earlier strict stances on child protection. Voice of the Faithful® in Ireland cites two examples.

First, Sean O’Conaill of VOTF in Ireland pointed out that Ian Elliott, CEO of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland for the past six years, has alleged that “over the past four years, there has been a successive reduction in the NBSCCC budget.”

VOTF National Statement: Archbishop Nienstedt Steps Aside in Minnesota

Boston, Mass., March 11, 2014 -- Voice of the Faithful® agrees with the step Minneapolis and St. Paul Archbishop John Nienstedt is taking after allegations he touched a boy inappropriately. News reports say he is stepping aside while the allegation is investigated. In doing so, he is following the U.S. bishops’ guidelines for protecting children.

Milwaukee Abuse Files Released

When the Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for bankruptcy reorganization as a way to deal with hundreds of sex-abuse claims still unsettled, it also sought to keep secret thousands of files on those cases. Last week, a day before the bankruptcy judge was to rule on that effort, the dicoese suddenly announced it would release the documents July 1. Jeff Anderson & Associates, which represents many of the sex-abuse claimants, has posted the released documents on their web site.

VOTF National Statement -- Voice of the Faithful Offers Prayers for Success of Association of US Catholic Priests June Assembly

BOSTON, Mass., June 20, 2013 – A worldwide movement of reform-minded, faithful Roman Catholics, Voice of the Faithful® offers its prayers for success for clergy attending the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests’ second annual assembly June 24-27 in Seattle.

VOTF Urges Pope Francis to "Act Decisively" Regarding Bishops, Clergy Sexual Abuse & His Message to Vatican Congregation

BOSTON, Mass., June 6, 2013 – Pope Francis has recommended that the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Catholic Church’s child sexual abuse prosecutorial arm, “act decisively with regard to cases of sexual abuse.” Currently, three cases in the U.S. provide an opportunity to see whether decisive action also will include holding accountable bishops who fail to act when sex abuse is revealed:
 

    New Book Raises Voices of Roman Catholics Who Desire a Renewed Church

    BOSTON, Mass., May 13, 2013 – Only a courageous person would want to try reforming the Roman Catholic Church, a 2,000-year-old institution that practiced its liturgy in a dead language as recently as 50 years ago – and a persistently courageous person to keep trying for more than a decade.

    A new book, Voices: Telling Our Stories, offers a look at some who exhibit such courage and shows in the voice of the reformers why and how Catholics who are firm in their faith, but disenchanted with their Church, turn to advocacy as a way to remain whole.

    VOTF National Statement -- Voice of the Faithful Expects Pope Francis to 'Act Decisively' in New Jersey Clergy Sexual Abuse Case

     BOSTON, Mass., May 8, 2013 – The Roman Catholic archbishop of Newark has allowed an admitted child molester to continue contact with young people, and Church reform movement Voice of the Faithful® expects Pope Francis to “act decisively” as he said last week the Church must do in cases of clergy sexual abuse. Acting decisively should include holding accountable any bishop who fails to act responsibly in sex abuse cases. The question here: Will Pope Francis hold the archbishop accountable?

    VOTF National Statement -- New Pope, New Church?

    BOSTON, Mass., Mar. 13, 2013 – As the smoke clears from the top of the Sistine Chapel, the immense apparatus that is the Roman Catholic Church lurches forward under new leadership. Voice of the Faithful®, as a movement of progressive Catholics, is most interested in where it’s going.

    “We hope Pope Francis will listen to the lay men and women in the 21st century,” said Mark Mullaney, VOTF president.

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