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

For Immediate release

Voice of the Faithful Notes Transparency
Of Davenport Settlement

December 4, 2007 - Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is pleased that the Diocese of Davenport has agreed to settle with the victims of clergy sex abuse and end the long legal battle which has caused great additional pain to these survivors. We applaud the survivors who have insisted on greater transparency from the diocese as part of the settlement.

“It is important that the names of all the abusers will be made public and it is especially significant that the survivors will have the opportunity to tell their stories to parish gatherings and through the diocesan newspaper”, said Mary Pat Fox, president of VOTF. “History has shown that such openness promotes understanding and healing as well as encouraging others who have suffered abuse to come forward. This part of the settlement is unique and will, hopefully be an example for future settlements. We also hope that the Diocese of Davenport and all its parishes will install all necessary safeguards and training programs to prevent any future abuse of children both from clergy and from all who work for the Church.”

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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.