National News

As we join together to celebrate this Thanksgiving, let us focus on the joy of faith and family. Let us reach out to those less fortunate than us and remember to thank God for all of our blessings.

From the officers and staff at Voice of the Faithful, we wish you all a safe and joyful Thanksgiving!

Dan Bartley
President, Voice of the Faithful

Update from Voices in Action: Spiritual and Communal Growth Team

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”(Gal. 4:4)

The Spiritual & Communal Growth Team has added to its prayer forms project with a web page describing Marian Devotions, which are prayers and acts undertaken to honor Mary and with the intention of seeking her intercession with her Son Jesus and his Father. The new page includes links to other resources so that you can learn more about this prayer form.

VOTF Comments on New President of USCCB
The surprise election of Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, to the presidency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) led to a flurry of commentaries in various media. VOTF’s own response focused on our determination to pursue our mission and goals no matter which bishop serves either in the USCCB or a diocese.

“As faithful Catholics, we expect spiritual leadership from our bishops rather than secrecy and cover-ups. It is essential that the head of the USCCB supports the lay input and responsibility called for by Vatican II,” said President Dan Bartley. “It is equally essential that the bishops break the atmosphere of secrecy and the assumption that clergy exist far above the laity and do not answer for their own failures.”

See the VOTF press release here.

Round 2 of Emily and Rosemary Fund Deadline Approaching
The submission deadline for grants from Round 2 of the Emily and Rosemary Fund is December 1. The Emily and Rosemary Fund for Women in the Church was established to support women who lose employment in the Roman Catholic Church as the result of injustice or discrimination, and to help women who are working to bring about justice and equality in the Church. For more information go to http://www.votf.org/page/emily-rosemary-fund-women-church/14217

Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Part VI in a series that looks at Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church from 1984-2010.
By Tom Doyle J.C.D., C.A.D.C
Boston, January 6, 2002

The clergy sex abuse saga changed dramatically on January 6, 2002 when the Boston Globe published the first of a long series of articles about a massive cover-up in Boston.  This pivotal event had a profound influence on all aspects and all players in the clergy abuse drama not only in Boston but world-wide.  The nationwide uproar Read more...

Site Seeing

James Carroll reflects on the election of Dolan
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-11-20/archbishop-timothy-dolan-can-he-lead-american-catholics/?cid=bs:archive6

Sister Joan Chittister reveals advice for new priests
http://ncronline.org/blogs/where-i-stand/ticking-bomb-lay-involvement

The Pope mentions the use of condoms as a way to stop the spread of AIDS
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/world/
europe/23pope.html

Archbishop Wenski appears in stained glass mural of Christ
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-stained-glass-20101120,0,7841436.story

Calendar

Bradford Hinze to Speak on Dialogue in the Church
Bradford Hinze, Professor of Theology at Fordham University, will speak about “Stifling Dialogue in the Church and Prophetic Obedience” on Thursday December 9 at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk at 7:30 P.M. The event is sponsored by Voice of the Faithful in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Everyone is invited to attend.

Professor Hinze explored the theme of communication in his book, Practices of Dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church: Aims and Obstacles, Lessons and Laments (New York: Continuum, 2006). He is devoted to advancing intercultural communication and interreligious dialogue, especially with Jews and Muslims. A graduate of The College of St. Thomas, he has a master’s degree from Catholic University and a doctorate in theology from the University of Chicago

Letter to the Editor

I wish VOTF would tackle the upcoming issue of the new liturgy reforms that will take effect for Advent 2011.

It certainly fits within the VOTF mission. I can't think of a clearer instance of our hierarchy abandoning the collegiality of Vatican II, and giving up their own best judgment, caving in to the Vatican, ignoring the people and all pastoral concerns, etc. The idea of Italians knowing better than Americans how to say something properly in English is inherently absurd. The fact that it’s not a matter of faith and morals shows how far the American hierarchy will bend to kowtow to Vatican power.

The people in the pews are going to be very upset at all the changes to be inflicted upon them next November.

Getting out in front of this issue would, I think, give the disaffected a voice and bring members to VOTF.

J. McMahon

P.S. The issue is also laden with strong theological issues that should be addressed: whether the Eucharist is no longer going to be a table and a meal, rather than just a cross and sacrifice . . . whether priests are to be set off on a pedestal above the people (“and with your spirit” - as though priests were spirits instead of humans with bodies), etc., etc.

Questions, Comments?

Please send them to Siobhan Carroll, Vineyard Editor at Vineyard@votf.org. Unless otherwise indicated, I will assume comments can be published as Letters to the Editor.