Voice
of the Faithful Focus – A brief update
highlighting both a problem in our church and some
progress being made as we work together to Keep the
Faith, Change the Church.
Progress
This Lent the Diocese of Portland Oregon will involve tens of thousands of Catholics in an innovative, parish-based series of small group discussions that will focus on reconciliation. For the last couple of years the diocese had gathered parishioners together to pray for the healing and reconciliation of victims of clergy sexual abuse. This program extends the reconciliation process, seeking healing in all parts of life, and using the Sunday scripture readings. Study books to implement the program have been developed in conjunction with The Office of Small Christian Communities of the Archdiocese of Hartford (Quest).
Read more about the Portland program
Obtain the Spring volume of Quest
Problem
Sometimes FOCUS points out a problem concerning the clergy abuse crisis and sometimes it features a story of financial embezzlement. This story incorporates both.
A Franciscan priest and former president of Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia was arrested recently for stealing $900,000. Some of the money was allegedly given to a student for drugs, alcohol and cash. The student later filed a lawsuit against the priest for sexual abuse.
Read more of this sad story.
