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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
Voice of the Faithful – Disciples
in Action
VOTF’s
national convention, October 19-20 in Providence
RI is open for business. Convention
registration
as well as hotel information is available on the VOTF
web site.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Providence.
Check in will begin on Friday afternoon at 3 pm with
workshops being offered at 4pm and 5:15pm followed by
a reception and a talk by Father Richard McBrien at 7pm.
On
Saturday morning there will be a keynote address by
Edwin Gateley, a talk from Mary Pat Fox,
awards, and
a discussion hosted by Jim Post with Judge Michael Merz
President of the National Review Board. In the afternoon
you will be able to attend three different breakout sessions
of your choice. There is a wide range of topics to choose
from. Our goal is provide
you with tools that will send you home as an energized "Disciple
in Action." The convention will conclude with liturgy
and a Procession of Faith down to the river’s edge
in Providence.
For
more information read the VOTF press release.
Problem
Embezzlements
On
January 11th we ran a story on the study
by Villanova University (PDF) which
revealed that 85% of the U.S. dioceses surveyed had
at least
one case
of financial embezzlement
in the past 5 years. Since we ran that story we have
seen these recent news stories of financial improprieties
in Connecticut ($900,000), Florida ($675,000), Tonawanda
NY ($488,000) and Chicago ($200,000).
For one who follows the news, none of this is very surprising.
A
Voice of the Faithful survey of news stories since
January 2006
has chronicled 46 cases of embezzlements totaling over
$26 million. These embezzlements have occurred at the
hands of laity and clergy alike. We, the laity, must
recognize that is our money and we must demand
full accountability and transparency in all Church
financial
affairs. We must take responsibility for curing this
ill that affects Church organizations throughout the
country. We can begin by ensuring our collections are
secure and that best practices are incorporated at
all levels of parish finance.
Click
here to read
Mary Pat Fox's speech on Our Role in Financial
Accountability.
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