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Please send comments and inquiries to pthorp.ed@votf.org.
Voice of the Faithful hopes all of our readers enjoyed a Thanksgiving blessed with the bounty of family and friends
Click here to read the Thanksgiving letter to VOTF members from VOTF president Mary Pat Fox.
In This Issue:
Lincoln, Nebraska diocese fails to implement the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People; Cardinal George elected as president of USCCB; Convention Recaps; VOTF members spend an evening with Abbot Damien Thompson; and more.
NATIONAL News
VOTF National issued a press release calling for the USCCB to address the failure of the Lincoln Nebraska diocese to implement the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. VOTF also issued a statement objecting to the expected election of Cardinal George to the presidency of the USCCB.
- The USCCB has elected Cardinal George to the presidency of that body.
- VOTF was not alone in objecting to Cardinal George’s election.
- See Jason Berry’s op-ed on the subject of Cardinal George. Jason is the co-author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II.
Two more Convention recaps: from Svea Fraser on Priests of Integrity and a reflection from VOTF vice-president Sally Vance Trembath.
SURVIVOR Support
VOTF Winchester MA continues a 5-year tradition with the sale of a brand new line of Christmas cards to benefit the survivor community benefit survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Cards sell for just $15 for a package of 12 cards. We are selling 4 different cards: You can buy 12 cards with the same design or a mixed package with 3 cards of each of the 4 designs. Each card has the VOTF web address on the back. You can buy cards at any weekly affiliate meeting in Winchester on Monday nights, or by visiting the group’s website, and printing and mailing the order form with your payment. Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, contact Bob Morris at rmorrivotf@aol.com.
Congratulations to VOTF Representative Bob Schwiderksi! A message from Kris Ward (VOTF Ohio) advises: Bob Schwiderski, a member of the Twin Cities Voice of the Faithful National Representative Council and VOTF Survivor Support Working Group member was honored with a surprise award at the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children (NAPSAC) at a general meeting recently. NAPSAC is a new organization but it is making great strides in bringing together effectively a number of voices in the fight to protect children. Website: sapn.nonprofitoffice.com
Affiliate Notes:
Vince Grenough of VOTF Louisville KY and other VOTF members spent an evening with Abbot Damien Thompson and found uncommon inspiration. Read “The Abbott Steps Out” in Commentary.
Cardinal O’Malley’s lay panel has released its report criticizing parish closings in the Archdiocese of Boston. See the response from the Boston Area VOTF Council. See the full story at boston.com.
Lost and Found
We regret that one of the Convention Recaps got lost in its own neighborhood recently. The Vineyard of 10/29 misplaced “Discipleship for Women in the 21st Century”; the report includes the resolution currently going through its paces among VOTF leadership.
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SITE-Seeing, Etc.
Communities around the world remember the church women martyred in El Salvador on December 2, 1980. To learn more about Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay woman Jean Donovan, visit Maryknoll Sisters website and Maryknoll Sisters Voices of Compassion Newsletter.
Philadelphia PA: 6-8 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2007: Evening of Reflection for Christian Women Healing from Abuse. Facilitator: Nicole Sotelo, author of the book Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace (Paulist Press). Women who have experienced abuse will learn about the stages of healing and how to integrate their spirituality with their healing journey,. The evening will also be beneficial for those who know someone who has been abused or for those who work with abuse survivors. For more information or to register, call 215.849.3364. You may also sign up at the door. Sliding scale of $7-15. Proceeds to support the work of the Cecilian Center, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Read “Vatican joins historic talks to end 950-year rift with Orthodox church”.
Fr. Tom Doyle highly recommends a new book: Sacrilege: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church by Lee Podles. Fr. Doyle said, “This is one of the foundational works that is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the clergy abuse phenomenon.” The book is published by Crossland Press and is available at amazon.com.
To follow developments at the USCCB Fall meeting (Nov. 11-15), subscribers can read National Catholic Reporter John Allen’s coverage.
QUOTE for our time: “… we all need to look in the same direction - toward Jesus who wants to heal and reconcile everyone who comes to Him.” Abbot Thompson of the Trappist abbey at Gethsemani in central Kentucky. See more in Commentary.
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