Justice and Renewal in the Church: A Journey (continued)

Sister Maureen, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and a graduate of Trinity College, Washington, D.C., was an early member and supporter of Voice of the Faithful, Greater Philadelphia (VOTF-GP) and Northern Delaware. As a member of VOTF’s national committee on Child Protection and Survivor Support, Sr. Maureen chaired the national subcommittee that resulted in “An Advocacy Guide to Reform Statutes of Limitation which is available on VOTF’s website.

Sister became a member of the Child Victims Voice, a non-partisan, non-sectarian coalition established to support the passage of the 2007 Delaware Child Victims Law which removed all statutes of limitation in regard to the sexual abuse of children.

The release of the recent Grand Jury Report of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office—charging Monsignor William Lynn and priests Charles F. Englehardt, James Brennan, former priest Edward Avery and teacher Bernard G. Shero of either cover-up or molesting children—reminds us that this situation continues.

News media throughout the world document scores of clergy sexual abuse stories, stories that overwhelmed the Vatican and even implicated Pope Benedict XVI.

More recently RTE television in Ireland released in a documentary a January 1997 letter to each Irish bishop, marked “strictly confidential,” in which the Vatican said it would support the appeal of any priest defrocked by the Irish church in connection with child sex abuse. It did so in a number of cases, leading to a threat of resignation by one Irish archbishop.

This event where VOTF will also honor Sr. Maureen for her tremendous efforts on behalf of sexual abuse victims is part of preparation for the American Catholic Council (americancatholiccouncil.org ) national event in Detroit, June 10-12. ACC is a national movement with many recognized national leaders and activists. It is establishing many listening sessions throughout the country, gathering the voice of Catholics and bringing their resolutions to a national event in Detroit, June 10-12, 2011. Thousands will convene to process the major resolutions and formulate an action plan.