Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org, (617) 558-5252, (617) 680-2131 cell

For Immediate release

Voice of the Faithful Praises Boston Diocese for Transparency

November 20, 2007 - The recently published report by the Parish Reconfiguration Fund Oversight Committee (PRFOC) of the Archdiocese of Boston vividly demonstrates how lay oversight of the financial affairs of the Church can make a significant difference. "I am especially delighted to see the hard work of this committee come to fruition, with such thoroughness and candor. I am also pleased that the archdiocese had the courage to publish the report in its entirety, in spite of the criticism," said Sheila Connors Grove, Board member of the Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council (BAVOTFC). "This is the transparency that is so sorely needed. It is a good step! We commend Cardinal O'Malley."

The lay panel, chaired by former Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) Board Chair, David Castaldi, reviewed the handling of $66 million acquired by the archdiocese through the sale of closed church buildings and the seizure of the funds of these closed parishes. The committee's report, published in a recent edition of the archdiocese's newspaper, The Pilot, was particularly frank in its criticism of archdiocesan management, especially its former officials, Vicar General Bishop Richard Lennon and Chancellor David Smith. Despite such obstacles – along with delays in providing information and reluctance by some Chancery officials to adopt the committee's recommendations – the committee was able to determine that there was no evidence of misappropriation of funds in the transactions it reviewed.

"Full disclosure and cooperation from the beginning would have led to the best result," Ms. Grove said. "But the willingness to acknowledge the weaknesses of the previous process is certainly a step forward."

BAVOTFC leaders also noted that the committee found a distinct difference between those parishes whose members objected to the reconfiguration process and those that did not. Protesting parishes were listened to. "To me, this clearly signals that when the laity speak up, there's a better chance they will be heard," said Ms. Grove, "even when some responses are too little or too late."

Also notable was the change in the effectiveness of the committee with the new archdiocesan leadership. The report underscores their commitment to "create a culture of service to parish communities and to increase transparency in archdiocesan business dealings." This is a very promising sign. The report concludes by saying the committee "hopes that Cardinal O'Malley will increasingly draw upon the gifts and talents of the laity to assist in the financial and administrative affairs of the Church."

"This is what Voice of the Faithful has been looking for since its founding. This committee's work offers us hope. Perhaps trust will be possible again," says Sheila Grove. "We are proud of David Castaldi in his leadership role as Chair of the committee. As an involved, committed Catholic, he demonstrated the very best of VOTF."

//////end//////

Press contact

John Moynihan (617) 558-5252, (617) 680 2131 ©

About Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group’s mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals are to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching.