AFFILIATE NEWS

From the VOTF Boston Area Council newsletter:

We are very pleased to inform you that Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, the former auxiliary bishop of Sydney, Australia, will be coming to speak at a VOTF Boston Area Council event co-sponsored by Saint Susanna's Adult Formation program. The gathering is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2008. Bishop Robinson had been appointed by the Australian Bishops Conference and for nine years headed up the Conference’s Committee for Professional Standards, which developed procedures for responding to victims of sexual abuse. Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus is the title of his book, soon to be released in the U.S. The book, now in its fourth printing in Australia, has received much attention.

In 1994, Robinson was appointed by the Australian bishops to head a task force to deal with clerical sexual abuse cases. His book examines the underlying patterns in the church that allowed this abuse to happen. It is an effort to help the church face up to this reality and make the necessary changes to purify the church of those elements which obstruct its mission.

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008, at 7:00 PM, ST. SUSANNA’S PARISH HALL, 262 Needham Street, DEDHAM.

On February 25, 2008, members of the BAVOTFC provided a statement to the Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill 1592 (Comprehensive Protection from Childhood Sexual Abuse Act of 2007) submitted by the COalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws (CORSAL). Soon, we hope that the bill will be reported out of committee and that we will be asking you to contact your legislators to support this legislation, which is at the heart of Survivors’ efforts.

You’re invited! The Boston Area VOTF Council invites all VOTF members and friends in the Archdiocese to our Saturday, April 5, RETREAT DAY of REFLECTION, "Back to the Future, Rooted in the Spirit". It will be held at the Sisters of St. Joseph oceanfront Retreat Center in Cohasset, facilitated by our friend, Sr. Betsy Conway. We cannot wait to see you all, but must operate on a first come/first served basis.

Secure a spot now! Send a $45 check made out to Sisters of St. Joseph to Anne Southwood at 1554 Ocean St., #6, Marshfield, MA 02050. Please include your email or phone number with your check. If you have questions contact Anne via southwood2@aol.com or 617-872-5937. You will receive confirmation with directions from Millie Feloney, mafeloney@verizon.net. Coffee and snacks will await our gathering between 9:30 and 10:00 am. Lunch is provided by the Sisters. Pray for sun and bring a beach chair!