May 21,2009
Dear Bishop Carlson,
The Steering Council of Twin Cities Voice of the Faithful congratulates you on your new appointment as Archbishop of St Louis! Many of us knew you during your years of serving this archdiocese as priest and bishop and have followed your appointments with interest and prayerful support. We will continue to support you in prayer as you undertake the challenging task of shepherding the Archdiocese of St Louis.
The focus of our organization’s efforts is on healing and support for victims of all sexual abuse and to support priests of integrity. You may have heard of our recent Priest of Integrity Award bestowed to Fr. Michael O’Connell for his work early on in the abuse crisis when he was serving as Vicar General of this archdiocese. Another priest we feel is deserving of praise and support is Bishop James Wall, the newly installed bishop of Gallup, Arizona. Bishop Wall has ordered an exhaustive review of Gallup’s priest personnel files. In addition, the diocese has pledged to post the names of priests who have been removed from ministry on their website. We recognize that this is a difficult thing to do for a diocese, and we applaud the courage and transparency that goes with this pledge.
Enclosed are background articles on Bishop Wall’s recent announcement regarding the personnel file investigation for your review. We pray that that you find a way to follow his courageous example and conduct a similar personnel file review when installed as shepherd of St Louis.
We send our good wishes to you for a long and fruitful ministry of God’s people in Missouri, and our prayers that many hearts and souls will find healing, solace, and protection under your care.
In Prayerful Support,
The Twin Cities Voice of the Faithful Steering Council
May 21,2009
Dear Bishop Wall,
The Steering Council of Twin Cities Voice of the Faithful congratulates you on your recent installation as Archbishop of Gallup, Arizona. We write today to thank you specifically for your decision to conduct an exhaustive review of Gallup’s priest personnel files and your pledge to post the names of priests who have been removed from ministry on the diocese’s website. We recognize that this is a difficult exercise to undertake, and we applaud the courage and transparency that goes with this effort.
The focus of our organization’s efforts is on healing and support for victims of all sexual abuse and to support priests of integrity. Last year we presented Fr. Michael O’Connell, retired rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, with our VOTF affiliate’s Priest of Integrity Award for his work early on in the abuse crisis when he was serving as Vicar General of this archdiocese. We send our good wishes to you for a long and fruitful ministry of God’s people in Arizona and our prayers that many hearts and souls will find healing, solace, and protection under your care.
In Prayerful Support,
The Twin Cities Voice of the Faithful Steering Council
