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Survivor Community Notes

From Paul Baier:
Survivors First finished its first year in September. Our "one stop donation" vehicle for survivors called Survivors Appeal, raised $14,915 for survivors’ groups. We are really thankful to three VOTF group for their donations: Westford/Chemsford (MA) VOTF; St. Theresa - VOTF Affiliate in Harvard; St. Albert the Great - VOTF affiliate in Weymouth, MA. We also have a New York supporter who donates $25 every week to the Survivors Appeal. The money is distributed to SNAP, Linkup, Coalition of Catholic and Survivors (CCS), Speak Truth To Power (STTOP), and Survivors First. The distribution is based on need and is overseen by our Board of Directors, which includes Anne Hagan Webb, New England Coordinator for SNAP; Sue Archibald, president Linkup; Larry Kessler, founder Aids Action Committee; Susan Renehan, founder Coalition of Catholics and Survivors.

From Penny Kirk, parent of a survivor:
I have been speaking out at various meetings of VOTF in Long Island, NY; Naples, Florida,; Fort Myers Florida; Falmouth MA; and Winchester MA. The Long Island regional meeting Dec.11 and the Brewster, MA meeting Jan.18 are upcoming. I do hope these talks help to make people understand that parents were doing all they could to provide their children with the tools for success but that all of us were fighting an unknown enemy. It made our efforts impotent. As a result of the abuse of my child, the extended family has left the Church and found other ways to worship. So far, this makes 14 individuals who have left their Catholic community as a result of the reprehensible actions of one pathetic priest who acted under the protection of the hierarchical system.

From VOTF Winchester Area, MA – Marge Bean reporting.
On November 24 the Winchester Area VOTF met with four survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. Kathy Dwyer, Dale Walsh, Steve Lynch and Jeanne Cratty. They brought a much needed awareness that their pain continues and we need to be ever vigilant to protect children and vulnerable adults, even with the settlement.

The word "settlement" somehow conveys the meaning that it is over. All you need to do is talk to a survivor and you know it is far from over. The settlement is only the beginning. While some have found healing, many survivors are weary and fragile from the long battle. Steve Lynch said our dialogue with him helped him to clarify his thoughts as he met with the mediator the following day. He found the meeting painful but somewhat relieving. He continues in his long courageous journey for justice and healing, and in seeking peace as he gives us all strength.

Laura Breault gave us a reference to a Web site on Bishop Accountability, when one member of our group stated that the abuse has stopped. Sexual abuse of children is widespread throughout the world. One child abused is too many.

Dale Walsh was overwhelmed by the support. She said she felt validated as a person, as people got to know her and see her not just as a survivor.

Jeanne Cratty showed amazing courage in speaking with her group. It was clear that her parents’ support is a great blessing for her.

Kathy Dwyer continues to be strong in her perseverance in abuse prevention. She was one of the leaders who worked hard to produce the document “Call To Reform,” which is on the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org. A group of over twenty survivors came together to produce this document that would offer guidelines to the Archdiocese to be presented to Archbishop Sean O’Malley. Kathy noted that the survivors came from different places, had different experiences and feelings and expectations, but amazingly came together to agree on the content of the five-page document. All four of the survivors at this meeting were part of the group that wrote the document.

 

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In the Vineyard
December '03
Volume 2, Issue 13

Page One

VOTF Election Update

Survivor Support News

Protecting Our Children Working Group

Priests' Support Working Group

Lay Education Working Group

Parish Voice News

Events, Opportunities & News

On the Road with VOTF

What Do You Think?

Prayer of the Month

Printer Friendly Version

In the Vineyard Archives

Our postal address is VOTF,
Box 423,
Newton, MA
02464-0002

Donations can be sent to this address or through our Web site

For an overview of press coverage of VOTF, click here.

 

Have you received your VOTF quarterly? If not, please call the VOTF office at 617-558-5252 and request the fall issue. Submissions for the quarterly are gratefully considered. Please contact Peggie Thorp at leaderpub@votf.org.

REMINDER: To contact an affiliate in your area, just go to the VOTF Web site at www.votf.org and click on Parish Voices for a menu. Choose "Directory," identify your state by region, click appropriately and you're there.