National News
VOTF Supports American Catholic Council
In a move to unite U.S. Catholics, the newly formed American Catholic Council (ACC) called last week for an historic assembly of the Catholic Church in the United States. Voice of the Faithful joined the call.
“The way the Church is now is not the way it was meant to be,” says John Hushon, a VOTF board member who serves as the ACC co-chair. “The Gospels make it abundantly clear that Jesus envisioned a community that welcomes and encourages the gifts of all. The two-tiered clerical system that separates the ordained from the non-ordained was never meant to be, and it has caused enormous harm. Vatican II attempted to recapture the universal call to ministry, but this promise has not been fulfilled.”
Read VOTF’s press release on this issue.
Asking Bishops to Be Accountable
VOTF recently called for bishops to examine their own consciences about actions and inaction that led to the continued sex abuse of children by clergy under their watches. As examples, VOTF cited six bishops who should be held accountable. Our report was noted in newspapers and news blogs:
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/other_churches/
lay_catholics_call_on_five_bis_1.html
http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?
id=4c6437d8-6432-4b8d-8183-680514f0d447
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/
2009/01/votf_calls_for.html
Nominations for Board of Trustees Sought
VOTF is inviting nominations to our Board of Trustees. See details here. Candidates should be individuals of high character and diverse talents who have been involved in VOTF and have exhibited an understanding of and commitment to the VOTF mission statement and goals.
Learn More About VOTF’s Strategic Plan
Last month VOTF President Dan Bartley described the Strategic Plan at a meeting of the Boston Area Council VOTF in Wellesley MA. The experience inspired many in attendance to become active leaders for the new platforms.
Dan’s speech is now available to view online. (Or you can listen to an audio file of the presentation.) You can also share it with your friends or add it to your affiliate website.
For more information about the strategic plan or to participate with one of the platform teams, visit http://www.votf.org/strategic_plan.html or email office@votf.org
Volunteers Needed
The VOTF National Office needs volunteers from all over the U.S. to help with a number of research projects. The assignments are strictly information-gathering. They involve on-line research and telephone calls (not for solicitation of contributions; no “cold calling”).
Each volunteer will be given an assignment that can be completed in two to three hours. The work can be done from the volunteer’s home. Experience working with Microsoft Excel is a strong asset but is not required.
If you are interested in playing a part in VOTF’s mission in this way, please contact Brian Roylance at 617-558-5252 or office@votf.org.
VOTF in the News
In 2007 Anthony J. Pogorelc and William D'Antonio undertook a study of Voice of the Faithful. In a recent National Catholic Reporter article, they revisited those findings in light of recent Pew Research findings about those leaving the Church. VOTF Catholics, they say, are both loyal and critical.
“They (VOTF members) don’t see themselves as consumers, but as partners who share in the church’s beliefs, practices and mission. Formed by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), which envisions an active role for the laity, they want the laity’s role in the governance of the church to be institutionalized.”
The profile of Voice of the Faithful members is consistent with previous research on loyal members who remain within troubled organizations to reform them. They are highly educated, hold professional positions, have high incomes and are active in their professions and communities. Their ability to influence outcomes in other forums such as the academy, corporations or government has shaped the way they function as Catholics. Instead of giving up, they have put their resources at the service of reform.”
To read the article in it’s entirety: http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/3007
International News
Update on Ireland
Ireland has been rocked recently by yet another scandal in the Catholic Church. VOTF Ireland has been vocal in calling for the protection of children and for the accountability of its bishops. In an update from VOTF Ireland, Sean O’Conaill writes:
“There is apparent movement by bishops and Irish government towards greater church transparency on allegations of abuse. Discussions are ongoing.
However, Bishop Magee has still not resigned, and this means that the crisis will intensify as Ireland prepares for three more critical reports on the child abuse issue. A well informed reporter for the Irish Independent declares this morning:
“Many of Ireland’s 26 dioceses already face either bankruptcy or are being forced to cut back on pastoral and community services on account of heavy payouts to victims of clerical abuse. The archdiocese of Dublin is bracing itself for a huge public outcry when the Commission of Investigation publishes its report, which is imminent.”
Read the article in the Irish Independent.
News Flash: VOTF President, Dan Bartley was interviewed on Irish radio about the situation in Ireland and its relation to what has happened in the American Catholic Church. You can hear that interview at this URL; remember to turn up the sound on your computer.
Finally, you also can read an article in the Irish News by VOTF’s Sean O’Conaill.
Each month, In the Vineyard hopes to spotlight one of our VOTF affiliates: what they are doing and who their members are. If you would like to have your affiliate included, please send a note to vineyard@votf.org. If you would like to start an affiliate in your area and are looking for some guidance, please contact Alice Campanella at acampanella@votf.org. Alice has information, handouts and suggestions on ways to get started and would be happy to help.
Affiliate Spotlight -- Louisville Voice of the Faithful
Submitted by Vince Grenough
The Louisville Voice of the Faithful affiliate serves the people of the archdiocese of Louisville, which covers the central section of the State of Kentucky. The 2008 Catholic Directory lists the total population of that area at 1,180,143, of which 195,000 are identified as Roman Catholics. Historically, the diocese of Bardstown, Kentucky, was established in 1808 as the first Catholic diocese west of the Alleghany Mountains. In 1841 the See was transferred about 40 miles north to Louisville.
Read about the Louisville VOTF here.
Support Needed by Peoria VOTF
Our friends in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, need our support. An appellate court ruling could reinstate at least 10 lawsuits filed against the diocese and several priests by victims of sexual abuse. The court decision reverses a June 2007 ruling by Peoria County Court that dismissed lawsuits because of the statue of limitations regulations.
An article in the Bloomington, Illinois, Pantagraph describes the implications of the decision. Please take a moment to post a comment or write a letter to the editor about the story. Comments and letters from our members offer support and help spread the word.
And if you would like to read the court ruling itself, we have posted it on one of our web pages.
Calendar
Bridgeport VOTF
“Crosses: Portraits of Clergy Abuse” will be the topic of a talk by Carmine Galasso, featured speaker at the next Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) in the Diocese of Bridgeport meeting Thursday, February 5th 7:30 PM at the First Congregational Church on the Green n Norwalk.
For further information about VOTF in the Diocese of Bridgeport, the 2009 March 28th Annual Conference at Fairfield University on the Eucharist, the Voice of Compassion Fund, or directions to the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk, please consult www.votfbpt.org.
Boston College's CHURCH IN THE 21st CENTURY A webcast is now available at www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html for the recent lecture: “Jesus, Prophet of Divine Wisdom” which is part of the C21 Women Series. The presenter is Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza from Harvard University; the respondents are members of the Boston College Theology Department. (Look for the label called "Search for Webcasts"; type Prophet of Divine Wisdom into the Search box there; and then click the magnifying-glass icon next to the box.)
Free Online Learning from Boston College
“The Birth of Jesus: Two Gospel Narratives” is a free, online, self-paced tutorial written and narrated by Philip A. Cunningham, Executive Director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College. It is a collaborative project of the Center and C21 Online.
For the Home Page of the C21 program, go to http://www.bc.edu/church21/home.html.
The available web casts can be found at http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html.
To enroll in the Online Adult Faith Enrichment program, go to www.bc.edu/c21online. For more information about C21 Online, contact Chris Kowalcky, christine.kowalcky@bc.edu at 617-552-4075 or 800-487-1167.
Book Corner
Submitted by Gaile Polhaus
At this time of the year we may have weather days when we are advised to stay home. Use one of these days as a home retreat day (not a home catch-up day) and read a nourishing spiritual book. You can order such books from Amazon. Suggested are the Madeleva Lectures in Spirituality.
To buy this or any book on Amazon, please go to VOTF.org and click on the Amazon link. Voice of the Faithful will receive a small percentage of the purchase price.
Letters to the Editor
I am the mother of a victim of child sexual abuse by a Catholic priest. I wanted to send a note of support and appreciation for putting forth this call for resignations of those enabling, offending bishops. As with many others, I continue to be appalled and outraged that these “bishops,” who should themselves be facing criminal charges, continue to be allowed to hold their positions. My son, like so many, many, others, most likely would not have been abused if the leadership in charge of the “pedophile priest,” had taken action on the knowledge and complaints of prior child abuse(20 years worth of problems) and removed him from access to children. Also, please note that this is not an “old” issue that we can put behind us. My son was abused in 2001-2002. The offending “priest” was just arrested in June, 2008, in Montgomery County MD.
Thank you.
Sincerely, T. McMorrow, Maryland
I think you missed Cardinal Egan. He should be asked to resign.
S. Travers
[There were several letters that mentioned Cardinal Egan.]
Thanks to you and the VOTF members and staff who worked on the press release and the supporting rationale. It is highly appropriate and most welcome. I do not agree with our VOTF friends who have urged a different action; i.e., a series of letters to church hierarchy. We have done this repeatedly over the years, to an "answering silence."
Peace,
D.Kennedy, Massachusetts
Questions, Comments?
